Cairo Stadium has been confirmed to host the Egyptian national team for upcoming friendly games ahead of the 2018 World Cup, as well as for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger in March.
"All of the Pharaohs preoperational games ahead of the World Cup have been scheduled to be held in Cairo Stadium, while the Niger match is also confirmed to be held there," stadium president Ali Darwish revealed on Tuesday for an Egyptian radio station.
After years of disuse, the 74,100-seat venue had earlier been approved for hosting the domestic competitions of both Cairo giants Ahly and Zamalek, however without fan attendance.
The stadium is being renovated to increase security measures, with new gates and surveillance cameras being installed.
Due to security concerns following successive football stadium disasters, beginning with Port Said s in 2012, the Egyptian national team s favorite arena was closed, leaving all domestic tournament games to be held in the absence of spectators.
The Pharaohs have made it to the 2018 World Cup for the first time in 28 years, topping their group E of the qualifiers above Uganda, Ghana, and Congo.
Egypt only played once in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, losing 1-0 away in Tunisia during the kick-off of the competition last June.
Niger where held by Swaziland in a goalless draw.
