大象传媒

Some Coptic Christians, who make up 10% of the country鈥檚 population, don't feel that the national team represents them.聽 Historically very few Christians are picked up by professional teams and there are no Copts in the 23-man national squad. Shaimaa Khalil speaks to Coptic Christian footballer Mina Bendary, religious rights activist Ishak Ibrahim and Egyptian federation spokesperson Magdi Abdul Ghani.

Photo: Jonathan Bolingi Mpangi of Rd Congo heading on goal during the 2019 African Cup of Nations match between Egypt and DR Congo June, 2019.
Credit: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images