El-Ghandour has refereed the 2002 African Cup of Nations final (Cameroon vs. Senegal), the second leg of the 2002 African Cup Winners' Cup final (Kotoko (Ghana)) and five successive African Cup of Nations, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002. He is the first African referee to run a match in the UEFA European Football Championship. He has also participated in one Olympic Games, one FIFA Confederation Cup (2001), and one AFC Asian Cup.

He also refereed in two FIFA World Cups, France 1998 and Korea/Japan 2002.

He is the first Egyptian referee to play as a professional referee (Japanese League 1999).

Ghandour retired in 2003.