Egypt return to the FIFA World Cup this summer for the first time since 2018, hunting a first-ever finals victory.
The Pharaohs have appeared at three previous tournaments, in 1934, 1990 and 2018, without ever winning a match. Hossam Hassan, one of Egyptian football’s most celebrated forwards, leads them this time as head coach. The former Al Ahly striker confirmed his final 26-man squad on 29 May, less than 24 hours after a 1-0 win over Russia in the New Capital Cup final.
Egypt: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
Hassan unveiled an initial 27-man preliminary list on 21 May, before trimming Enppi forward Aqtay Abdallah to reach the FIFA cut. The squad leans heavily on the domestic league, with only nine of the 26 plying their trade abroad.
The biggest call concerns Mohamed Salah, who captains Egypt at his second World Cup. The Liverpool talisman, who turns 34 on the day of the opener against Belgium, leaves Anfield this summer as a Reds legend. He scored 67 international goals across 116 caps.
👀#egyptnt#FIFAWORLDCUP pic.twitter.com/Z80YMndG0L
— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) June 1, 2026
Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush partners him in attack, with Mahmoud Trezeguet and Ahmed Zizo offering further creativity. Hassan has also handed a stunning call-up to 18-year-old Hamza Abdel Karim, currently on loan at Barcelona Atlètic from Al Ahly.
The omissions caused a stir. Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed pays the price for a difficult relegation season in Ligue 1. Former Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny also misses out. Hassan has defended packing the squad with home-based players. A glamour friendly against Brazil in Ohio on 6 June completes preparations.
Group G pits Egypt against Belgium, Iran and New Zealand. Rudi Garcia’s Belgium are favoured to top the section. The final group game against Iran could prove decisive for a maiden knockout berth.
Egypt 2026 World Cup fixtures
- Monday, June 15th – Belgium vs Egypt – Seattle, USA
- Monday, June 22nd – New Zealand vs Egypt – Vancouver, Canada
- Saturday, June 27th – Egypt vs Iran – Seattle, USA
What time do Egypt’s World Cup games kick off?
All kick-off times are BST.
- Belgium vs Egypt, 8pm
- New Zealand vs Egypt, 2am
- Egypt vs Iran, 4am
Egypt 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Mostafa Shobier (Al Ahly), El Mahdy Soliman (Zamalek), Mohamed Alaa (El Gouna)
Defenders: Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Tarek Alaa (ZED FC), Hamdy Fathy (Al-Wakrah), Rami Rabia (Al Ain), Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice), Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek), Karim Hafez (Pyramids FC)
Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Mohannad Lasheen (Pyramids FC), Nabil Emad Donga (Al-Najma), Mahmoud Saber (ZED FC), Ahmed Sayed Zizo (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly), Mostafa Abdelraouf Ziko (Pyramids FC), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Al Ahly), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjælland), Haitham Hassan (Real Oviedo), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Forwards: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Hamza Abdel Karim (Barcelona Atlètic, on loan from Al Ahly)
Manager: Hossam Hassan
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