Egyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal crosses Tahrir Square as he cycles to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
CAIRO (Reuters) - Mohamed "Ibn Nufal" Nufal, 24, kisses his mother goodbye in Cairo's Tahrir Square as he sets off for the World Cup in Russia - on a bicycle.
After about 5,000 km (3,000 miles) and 65 days on the road, Nufal hopes to reach Moscow to see Egypt make its first appearance in the World Cup for 28 years.
Nufal plans to get there via Jordan, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. He will fly over Syria due to the civil war there and will also give Iraq a miss for security reasons.
Egyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal gestures as he crosses Tahrir Square during his journey from Cairo to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
On his bike, Nufal has packed spare parts, an extra phone, batteries and camping gear. In addition to his tent, Nufal will put up in hostels where he can find them, as well as relying on the kindness of strangers for a bed for the night.
"It is about the road more than the arrival," he told Reuters Television. "If it were just about the World Cup, I would take a plane. It is a great chance for me to see new things."
A group of cyclists and friends escorted Nufal as he started his trip on Saturday, and he hopes many more will offer him help along the way.
Egyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal is greeted by his supporters as he exits Russian Cultural Center as he cycles to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
After clinching its World Cup spot in October, Egypt will compete on football's ultimate stage for the first time since 1990.
(Reporting by Mostafa Salem, writing by Giles Elgood, editing by Larry King)
Egyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal gestures as he crosses Tahrir Square in his journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal carries his bicycle from his house as he starts to cycle to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal speaks with his mother and sister at his home before his journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal speaks with his parents at his home before the journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal carries his bicycle from his house as he starts his journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal pushes his bicycle from his house as he starts his journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal rides his bicycle from his house as he cycles to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal takes a rest during his journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshA girl takes a selfie with Egyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal in front of Omar Makram mosque before his journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal cycles as he makes his way to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal drinks water in front of Omar Makram mosque before his journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal embraces his mother at Tahrir square before his journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal speaks with his supporters in front of Omar Makram mosque before his journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshA man takes a selfie with an Egyptian cyclist Mohamed Nofal in front of Omar Makram mosque before Nofal's journey to Russia for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after Egypt qualified for the first time in 28 years, in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
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