Egypt has named captain Mohamed Salah in their provisional 27-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The veteran forward is expected to lead the nation at the tournament in North America.
Salah Remains the Star
Mohamed Salah, now 33, is the standout figure in coach Hossam Hassan’s selection. He is preparing to leave Liverpool at the end of the season after a brilliant nine-year spell at Anfield.
Salah has scored 67 goals in 115 appearances for Egypt. He will again carry the hopes of a nation chasing a deep World Cup run.
Key Inclusions and Surprises
Omar Marmoush is also in the squad. The forward had a strong campaign with Manchester City this season.
Teenage forward Hamza Abdelkarim earned a surprise call-up. The 18-year-old has impressed for Barcelona Under-19s. He is yet to win a senior international cap.
Notable Omission
Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed was left out. He is one of the notable omissions from the squad announced on Wednesday.
Warm-Up Matches
Egypt will trim the group to the FIFA-required 26 players after a friendly against Russia in Cairo on 28 May. Another high-profile warm-up match against Brazil awaits on 6 June in Cleveland before the tournament starts.
World Cup Group G
The seven-time African champions have been placed in Group G. They will open their campaign against Belgium on 15 June. They then face New Zealand on 22 June and complete the group stage against Iran five days later.
Full Provisional 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 Oviedo)
Forwards
- Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
- Aqtay Abdallah (Enppi)
- Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona)
Egypt will announce the final 26-player squad after the Russia friendly.
About the Author
