Pyramids face Auckland City in Cairo on Saturday in the first round of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
They will become only the second Egyptian club ever to feature in a FIFA club competition.
Al Ahly had been the country’s sole representatives since debuting at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2005.
The winner will meet Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, holders of the AFC Champions League Elite, in Jeddah on 23 September for the African–Asian–Pacific Cup.
Founded in 2018, Pyramids made history last year by winning the CAF Champions League, overcoming Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.
Head coach Krunoslav Jurčić has kept much of last season’s core but lost Ibrahim Adel to Al Jazira (UAE), with Brazilian winger Ewerton arriving from Baník Ostrava as his replacement.
Despite a turbulent start to their Egyptian Premier League campaign, the African champions are favourites at home against Auckland City, buoyed by a vital 2-0 win against their bitter-rivals Al Ahly in the fifth round of the competition.
All eyes will be on DR Congo international Fiston Mayele, Pyramids top scorer last season. But there are a few other names to watch, including Walid El Karti, Ahmed Atef “Otta” and Karim Hafez who started the season in fine form. The Egyptians will also count on the experience of Morocco international Mohamed Chibi, one of the best right backs in the continent.
