Egypt has officially announced their 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Mohamed Salah leading the team in what may be his final World Cup appearance for his country. This marks Egypt's fourth time competing at the tournament. The Pharaohs last appeared at Russia 2018, where they were eliminated in the group stage, and they failed to qualify for the 2022 edition. This time, Egypt secured direct qualification, finishing top of an African qualifying group that included Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Guinea-Bissau. They went undefeated throughout the campaign, recording eight wins, two draws, and no losses.
Salah will captain the side at the tournament. Head coach Hossam Hassan named four goalkeepers in the final squad, making Egypt the only team to do so, with Mohamed El-Shenawy expected to start as the number one. The squad also features familiar names such as Omar Marmoush, Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet," Mohamed Abdelmonem, and Ahmed Sayed "Zizo," along with regular starters Emam Ashour, Mohamed Attia, and Hamdy Fathy.
One surprise inclusion is Hamza Abdelkareem, a highly rated 18-year-old forward currently on loan at Barcelona B, who is hoping to make his World Cup debut this summer. The most notable absence is Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed, who has earned more than 60 caps and scored 14 goals for the national team. Zamalek players Mohamed Shehata and Nasser Mansi were also left out of the final squad.
Egypt has been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran. The Pharaohs open their campaign against Belgium on June 15 at Lumen Field in Seattle, then travel to Vancouver to face New Zealand six days later at BC Place. They close out the group stage against Iran, returning to Lumen Field on June 26.
Egypt 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al-Ahly), Moustafa Shobeir (Al-Ahly), El Mahdy Soliman (Al-Zamalek), Mohamed Alaa (El Gouna)
Defenders: Mohamed Hany (Al-Ahly), Tarek Alaa (ZED FC), Hamdy Fathy (Al-Wakrah), Ramy Rabia (Al Ain), Yasser Ibrahim (Al-Ahly), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Al-Zamalek), Mohamed Abdelmonem (OGC Nice), Ahmed El Fotouh (Al-Zamalek), Karim Hafez (Pyramids)
Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al-Ahly), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids), Donga (Al Najma), Mahmoud Saber (ZED FC), Zizo (Al-Ahly), Trézéguet (Al-Ahly), Emam Ashour (Al-Ahly), Mostafa Ziko (Pyramids), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjaelland), Haissem Hassan (Real Oviedo), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Forwards: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona B)