France, June 5 -- A team from Egypt was signed up for the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay in 1930.

But the ship taking the players and coaches on the first leg of their journey was held up by a storm in the Mediterranean, and the connecting mail ship steamed away without them from Marseille.

Egypt were on board for the 1934 tournament in Italy, which featured 16 teams in a straight knockout competition. Hungary beat them 4-2 in Naples in the first game.

Egypt made their return to the tournament 56 years later in Italy in 1990. And it was a case of same country, same fate.

With current head coach Hossam Hassan as their star striker, Egypt drew each of their matches in Palermo against the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland before losing...