Egyptian FA member Karam Kordi said that the association had officially requested increasing the number of fans allowed to attend Sunday’s World Cup home qualifier against Congo from 60,000 supporters to 80,000 at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium.
With Egypt, who last made it to the World Cup in 1990, looking closer than ever to reach the prestigious tournament in Russia next year, the home fans scrambled to buy tickets for what could prove the decisive qualifying fixture.
“There is a very high demand on the tickets of the game, but unfortunately we couldn’t meet everyone’s demands,” Kordi told ON Sport satellite channel.
“We officially requested increasing the number of fans allowed to attend the game to 80,000 from an initial 60,000, but have yet to receive a reply.
“Even if we get a positive reply late, there’d be no problem at all. All tickets are expected to be sold out even on the match day.”
Should Uganda fail to beat Ghana in the other Group E game in Kampala on Saturday, Egypt would only need a home win over bottom side Congo to seal World Cup qualification.
Egypt are currently top of their group with nine points, two ahead of second-placed Uganda and four clear of Ghana. Congo have a single point.
