Egypt have announced their preliminary squad for next month’s World Cup, with a surprise omission and a fresh young face earning attention. Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed did not make the squad, while teenage forward Hamza Abdelkarim received his first call up.
The young attacker plays for Barcelona’s under 19 side and has impressed with his performances this season. He is now seen as one of the brightest young talents in Egyptian football.
Mohamed Salah will captain Egypt at the World Cup. The Liverpool star will lead the attack alongside Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush. The tournament will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Coach Hossam Hassan named a 27 player squad but will remove one player before the tournament starts. FIFA rules allow only 26 players in the final squad. Egypt will play Russia in Cairo on May 28 in their final home friendly before travelling to the United States.
Mostafa Mohamed’s absence came as a surprise, although his form this season has been poor. He scored only four goals in 24 games for Nantes. The French club also suffered relegation from Ligue 1.
Egypt will also face Brazil in a friendly match in Cleveland on June 6 before the World Cup begins.
Their campaign starts against Belgium in Seattle on June 15. Egypt will then play New Zealand in Vancouver on June 21. Their final Group G match will be against Iran in Seattle on June 26.
Egypt squad:
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), El Mahdi Soliman (Zamalek), Mohamed Alaa (El Gouna)
Defenders: Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Tarek Alaa (Zed), Hamdy Fathy (Al Wakrah), Rami Rabia (Al Ain), Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek), Mohamed Abdelmonemn (Nice), Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek), Karim Hafez (Pyramids)
Midfielders: Marwan Ateya (Al Ahly), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids), Nabil Emad (Al Najma), Mahmoud Saber (Zed), Ahmed Zizo (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly), Mostafa Ziko (Pyramids), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Al Ahly), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjaelland), Haissem Hassan (Real Ovideo)
Forwards: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Aqtay Abdallah (Enppi), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona U19)
