Egypt World Cup squad: Mostafa Mohamed omitted, Barcelona U19 striker Hamza Abdelkarim receives surprise call-up
Mostafa Mohamed omitted as Hossam Hassan names 27-man Egypt World Cup squad; Salah to captain and Barcelona U19 forward Hamza Abdelkarim called up on May 21.
Egypt’s preliminary 27-man World Cup squad, announced on May 21 by coach Hossam Hassan, excludes Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed while handing an unexpected senior opportunity to Barcelona under-19 striker Hamza Abdelkarim. The selection confirms Mohamed Salah as captain and pairs him with Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush in a frontline pencilled in for the tournament. One player will be released before the team departs, following a final home friendly against Russia on May 28.
Salah to captain Egypt at the 2026 World Cup
Mohamed Salah will lead the side into the World Cup in North America, the veteran Liverpool forward named as skipper by Hassan. Salah’s experience and tournament pedigree make him the natural choice to marshal Egypt’s attack and dressing room. The coach has signalled he will build the team around Salah’s leadership and goal threat heading into Group G.
Mostafa Mohamed omitted from preliminary squad
The absence of Mostafa Mohamed was one of the more notable surprises in Hassan’s 27-man list. Mohamed, who struggled for goals this season as Nantes were relegated from Ligue 1, scored sparingly in domestic competition and was left out despite his previous international involvement. The omission will raise questions about form-based selection and whether the coach prefers forwards in different physical or tactical profiles.
Teen prospect Hamza Abdelkarim earns first senior call-up
Teenage forward Hamza Abdelkarim receives his first senior national-team invitation after strong performances with Barcelona’s youth set-up. Uncapped at senior level, Abdelkarim’s inclusion reflects a desire to inject young attacking options into the squad and reward club-form at youth level. The call-up gives the 18- or 19-year-old a chance to stake a claim for the final 26-man roster ahead of the tournament.
Squad composition and key names across positions
Hassan’s preliminary list features four goalkeepers, including Mohamed El Shenawy and Mostafa Shobeir from the domestic league, providing experienced options between the posts. The defensive ranks blend domestic stalwarts and overseas-based players, with the likes of Mohamed Hany, Rami Rabia and Yasser Ibrahim offering familiarity and international experience. The coaching staff appears to prioritise defensive solidity and experience ahead of the group stage.
The midfield includes a mix of creative and combative profiles such as Ahmed Zizo, Emam Ashour and Mahmoud Trezeguet, while up front the coach has paired the pace and movement of Omar Marmoush with Salah’s finishing and leadership. The attacking list also contains domestic performers and the Barcelona youth inclusion, highlighting a balance between tested internationals and emerging talent.
Pre-tournament friendlies and World Cup schedule
Egypt will finalise preparations with a home friendly against Russia in Cairo on May 28, after which one player will be cut to meet FIFA’s 26-player limit. A high-profile friendly in Cleveland on June 6 against Brazil follows, offering a stern test ahead of the World Cup. Egypt’s Group G opens in Seattle on June 15 against Belgium, followed by a match against New Zealand in Vancouver on June 21 and a final group fixture back in Seattle on June 26 against Iran.
These fixtures form a compact pre-tournament block designed to sharpen match fitness and cohesion under game conditions. The Brazil match, in particular, will give Hassan an opportunity to assess combinations and defensive shape against elite attacking opposition.
Final cut looming and tactical considerations
Hassan has left one spot open for later trimming, with the coaching staff expected to weigh form, fitness and tactical fit after the May 28 fixture. Selection decisions will likely hinge on finishing ability, wing depth and the balance between domestic and Europe-based players. The coach faces the challenge of choosing between experienced campaigners and young prospects, a decision that could shape Egypt’s attacking options in Group G.
Tactical discussions within the camp will focus on maximising Salah’s influence while finding complementary strike partners who can exploit space and press effectively. Defensive resilience and midfield control will also be priority areas as Egypt prepares to face a varied set of opponents.
Egypt arrives at the World Cup with clear strengths in leadership and frontline experience, but the omission of an established striker and the promotion of a teenager indicate a willingness to take calculated risks. With the final roster due after the Cairo friendly, the coming week will be decisive for fringe players hoping to make the tournament squad and for Hassan as he finalises his strategic approach in a challenging Group G.
