No Match Today? Watch These Egyptian Films About Football Instead

With Egypt now competing in the FIFA World Cup on the other side of the planet, our daily routines have been rearranged around match times, and many of us have happily sacrificed sleep just to catch every minute (unless you're lucky enough to be watching from the stands). And during the days our team isn't playing, we eagerly wait for the next match. So, while you're counting down to the next match, here are some Egyptian films where football is the main character to help you pass the time…

El Zamahlawiyah (2008) | Dir. Ashraf Fayek

Two football-obsessed families, one loyal to Al Ahly and the other to El Zamalek, find their rivalry tested when a boy and girl from opposite sides fall in love.

Captain Masr (1955) | Dir. Bahaa El Din Sharaf

A young man dreams of becoming a professional footballer despite his family’s objections, while also navigating romance and class pressures.

Captain Masr (2015) | Dir. Moataz El Tony

After landing in prison, a famous footballer forms a team with fellow inmates in an attempt to change his circumstances.

El Alamy (2009) | Dir. Ahmed Medhat

A young man pursues his dream of becoming a football star while facing his father’s disapproval and personal setbacks.

El Hareef (1983) | Dir. Mohamed Khan

Mohamed Khan’s classic follows Fares, a gifted street footballer whose talent is complicated by his unstable work, relationships and personal choices.

El Hareefa (2024) | Dir. Raouf El Sayed

After moving from a private school to a public one, Majed earns the respect of his new classmates through his football skills.

Ragol Fakad A’qloh (1980) | Dir. Mohamed Abdelaziz

A professional footballer finds himself caught between his career, his family and the emotional fallout of his father’s actions.

Voy! Voy! Voy! (2023) | Dir. Omar Hilal

Hoping to leave the country, a con artist pretends to be visually impaired in order to join a blind football team travelling abroad.

4-2-4 (1981) | Dir. Ahmed Fouad

A factory owner forms a football team made up of his workers, before handing both the factory and the team over to his son.

Hamel El Laqab (2022) | Dir. Hesham Fathy

A famous footballer and his gynaecologist wife face an absurd medical twist when he unexpectedly becomes pregnant.

El Daraga El Talta (1988) | Dir. Sherif Arafah

A satirical comedy about devoted football fans who clash with club management over corruption and exploitation.

El Matareed (2023) | Dir. Yasser Samy

After returning from the United States to claim his inheritance, Salah becomes involved with a football club he plans to sell.

Ghareeb Fe Beity (1982) | Dir. Samir Seif

When a footballer moves to Cairo to play for Zamalek, a housing mix-up leaves him sharing an apartment with a woman he has never met.