Mohamed Salah to captain Egypt as Hossam Hassan names 27-player World Cup squad

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan on Wednesday named a 27-player preliminary roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming Mohamed Salah as captain. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The initial list omits Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed and includes uncapped Barcelona U19 attacker Hamza Abdelkarim. Officials said one player will be cut after a final home friendly later this month to meet FIFA’s 26-player limit.

Mostafa’s absence follows a club campaign in which he scored four goals in 24 matches for a Nantes side relegated from the French top flight. Abdelkarim’s first senior call-up reflects his form at youth level and signals a willingness to refresh attacking options around Salah. The staff will use the upcoming fixtures to evaluate combinations, fitness and form before finalizing roles.

Egypt’s preparations include a friendly against Russia in Cairo on May 28, after which the final cut will be made. The team will then travel to the United States to face Brazil in Cleveland on June 6 as part of its last tune-up. Hassan’s side opens its Group G campaign against Belgium in Seattle on June 15, meets New Zealand in Vancouver on June 21, and returns to Seattle to conclude against Iran on June 26.

Selection picture and captaincy

Salah’s captaincy offers continuity at the top of the squad, while the preliminary group blends home-based and overseas-based players competing for minutes. Leaving out an established international like Mostafa underlines competition for places and the emphasis on recent performance and tactical fit. Team officials indicated the list will be reduced to 26 after the Russia friendly.

Abdelkarim’s inclusion introduces a teenage prospect to the senior setup. His progression through Barcelona’s academy has put him on the radar, and this camp gives coaches a closer look as they balance experience with potential. Training sessions and the two friendlies are expected to shape selection decisions and clarify roles across the forward line and midfield.

Warm-up fixtures and travel plan

The warm-up schedule provides contrasting tests: Russia at home to complete domestic preparations, and Brazil on neutral ground to mirror tournament conditions. Staff will manage recovery and logistics with group-stage venues clustered in the Pacific Northwest once the World Cup begins.

Group G presents varied styles and travel demands, with matches in Seattle and Vancouver spaced across 11 days. Scouting and opponent-specific sessions will shape Egypt’s approach against Belgium, New Zealand and Iran, with an emphasis on starting strongly to control the path to the knockout phase.

Egypt will confirm its final 26 after the May 28 friendly. Focus will then turn to integrating Abdelkarim and refining attacking patterns around Salah ahead of the June 15 opener in Seattle.