Following their historic first World Cup victory with a 3-1 triumph over New Zealand in Vancouver, the Egyptian Pharaohs currently top their group with four points, positioning them well as they approach the final matchday.

However, the stakes are high; a win could set them up against South Korea, while a second-place finish might lead to a showdown with Australia. With three days left before the match, Hassan remains focused solely on one goal: to maintain their momentum in this prestigious tournament.

In his pre-match press conference conducted in Arabic, Hassan asserted: "My calculation is straightforward. We aim to win and secure the victory.

"Advancing is our top priority, irrespective of the opponent we encounter in the round of 32. We hold every opponent in high regard. Football has evolved significantly over the years - for a long time, many players have been competing on the global stage, particularly in the UK and the EU..."

Among the standout players on this global platform is Mohamed Salah. The prolific Liverpool forward, who may be on the move this summer, contributed to Egypt's victory over the White Ferns in Canada, bringing him just one goal shy of matching his head coach's record of 68 goals as Egypt's all-time leading scorer.

During a recent downtime, Salah shared a moment with teammates as they strolled through Washington near their training base, reflecting a player at ease and enjoying his time with the national team.

Salah could potentially equal the record against Iran on Friday, and Hassan believes his star player is thriving at this tournament.

Discussing Salah's performance, Hassan stated: "He is an exceptional player who understands my coaching style. I strive to treat everyone fairly, as long as they are giving their all and fulfilling their roles."

"As we witnessed in Morocco, Salah faced challenges with his club (Liverpool), but each time he returned to us, his performance improved; he assisted, scored goals...

"We have managed him effectively. He’s an intelligent player who understands my coaching and knows the role he plays within the team.

"I believe he plays with freedom, yet within a structured framework, which is essential. We don’t rely solely on one or two stars; they will deliver for us.

"...This is a new version of Mohamed Salah."

Iran arrives at this match with two points, having fought hard for a 0-0 draw against Belgium in their previous outing. A victory against Egypt would secure their passage to the round of 32, despite the challenges they have faced during the tournament.

Hassan expressed his respect for the Iranian team but emphasized that FIFA has provided equal opportunities for all nations throughout the tournament.

Friday's clash also coincides with Seattle's 'Pride match.' Controversy has surrounded this non-FIFA-sanctioned event, which will occur simultaneously with the game. Egypt and Iran both impose strict limitations on LGBTQ+ rights, and the Egyptian FA has distanced itself from any association with events occurring during the match earlier this year.

When questioned about the Seattle Pride match, Hassan reiterated that his focus remains entirely on football.

He remarked: "As head coach, our sole focus is on the game; that is our primary concern. FIFA handles the organizational aspects; we concentrate on football.

"We uphold the principles of fair play and expect everyone to adhere to the rules."