Egypt names preliminary World Cup squad with Salah as captain

Egypt has named its preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with star forward Mohamed Salah confirmed as captain for the tournament. The 27-player roster, announced by the Egyptian Football Federation, includes a notable omission and the introduction of a promising young talent as the team prepares for its fourth appearance at the global finals.

Head coach Hossam Hassan must trim one more player to meet FIFA's 26-player limit following Egypt's final pre-tournament friendly against Russia in Cairo on May 28. The most significant change in the squad is the exclusion of experienced forward Mostafa Mohamed, who has earned over 60 caps for the national team. He has been replaced by uncapped 19-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim, who plays for Barcelona's youth team.

Salah, who has 116 international caps and 67 goals for Egypt, will lead the attack alongside Manchester City's Omar Marmoush. The squad features four goalkeepers, with Mohamed ElShenawy expected to be the starter. Regular defensive starters include Mohamed Hany, Yassir Ibrahim, and Mohamed Abdelmonem. The midfield is anchored by familiar names such as Emam Ashour and Mahmoud Trezeguet.

The selection of Abdelkarim over...