Cairo: Egyptians heaved a sigh of relief after the draw for next year’s Fifa World Cup landed them in a group that includes the hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

“We are lucky that the draw has placed us in a balanced group where we have a good chance to qualify to the knockout round,” Islam Ali, a salesman, said. “May be Egypt’s toughest match will be against Saudis, who are the best team among the rivals in Group A,” he told Gulf News.

“Whoever win this showdown is an Arab team and this will be a source of pride for Arabs,” the 26-year-old football fan added. “We have a good team that possess superb skills like those of Mohammad Salah,” he said, referring to Liverpool’s prolific striker. “We can also depend on the experience

of Al Hadary,” Ali added, pointing to Egypt’s 44-year-old goalkeeper Essam Al Hadary.

The Russia World Cup will be Egypt’s first showing in the global showpiece since 1990. The Pharaohs’ first face-off in Russia will be against Uruguay on June 15. They will take on Russia, the tournament’s lowest-ranked squad, on June 19.

As many as four Arab teams have made the cut for Russia 2018 as in addition to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Morocco are also participating.

“I think that Egypt’s group is an easy one, compared to the death group of Morocco,” Mahmoud Ahmad, an accountant, said.

Morocco’s Group B also features Portugal, Spain and Iran. “I hope that the Pharaohs will seize this chance in order to put on good performances on the pitch and advance into the knockout stage,” Ahmad said.

“This will be an achievement, which will confirm that the Egyptian football has recovered from troubles of the last six years,” he added.

Egypt had suffered from the unrest that hit the most populous Arab country following the 2011 uprising. The turmoil took its toll on the Egyptian football, which is the prime sport in the country.

Egypt have won the Africa Cup of Nations, the continent’s most prestigious tournament for a record seven times, the last being in 2010.

Showing signs of recovery, Egypt, coached by Argentine Hector Cuper since 2015, came second in the African championship earlier this year.

Reacting to Egypt’s group in the World Cup finals, Osama Nabih, a member of the Pharaohs’ coaching body, said win would be the aim of the squad.

“The team’s group is not less stronger than any other group, especially as the Pharaohs will face the hosts, Russia,” Nabih told the media.