Egypt World Cup Toronto
2018,  Egypt,  Saudi Arabia

Egypt – 2018

I do my best to photograph teams as early in the tournament as possible, ideally game one or two. With Egypt, despite heroic attempts to catch game two, I was left capturing fans for their third and final game. Considering it was a match between two teams already eliminated from the tournament, I didn’t think there would be much support for either team. I need not have worried. Whatever it is, national pride/love of the game/an excuse to commune with your peers, the World Cup brings people out to celebrate, even if the game doesn’t matter at all. This is Egypt World Cup Toronto.

Egypt World Cup Toronto

Date: June 25, 2018
Score of game: Saudi Arabia 2, Egypt 1
Location: Celebration Square, Mississauga
Estimated number of fans at location: 30

Egypt World Cup Toronto

This was my first time back to Celebration Square in Mississauga this World Cup, I had forgot how much a gem of a venue it is. I just love it.

Egypt World Cup Toronto

Egypt World Cup Toronto

Egypt World Cup Toronto

Egypt World Cup Toronto

Of course, one of my favourite aspects of the game was that the Egyptian goal keeper, Essam El Hadary, set a record for the oldest player in history to play in a World Cup match at the age of 45 years and 161 days. As I may or may not be turning 40 this week, I find this especially inspiring. Plus, he saved a penalty kick. That’s pretty kick-ass.

Egypt World Cup Toronto

Egypt World Cup Toronto

Nice moment witnessed, during half time, fans from Saudi Arabia and Egypt posed together from some photos and flags.

Egypt World Cup Toronto

Egypt World Cup Toronto

Egypt World Cup Toronto

I can’t not mention my game two search for Egypt fans. It began in Scarborough where I had a false lead, but I ended up in Oakville at Anora’s Restaurant, the Egyptian spot I recommended at the beginning of the tournament. When I arrived, with about 20 minutes remaining in the match, I found out their TV was not working. The drive had taken me over and hour and I was pretty devastated. Luckily, the young woman behind the counter told me that everyone would be at Mood’s. It was 15 minutes away, so off I went. It was a good lead, one I wish I had a lot earlier. All the Egyptian fans were there, sure enough. Hundreds. Packed. Amazing venue. With only 5 minutes left in the game, their team down 3-1, and a manager who was not interested in having me take any photos, I was left watching the final minutes tick by with nothing by a memory and a regret.

That was the ultimate place to be. I was there, but I don’t have any photos to prove it.

Egypt World Cup Toronto

This is Egypt World Cup in Toronto.