Egypt has officially announced its 27-man preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah named as captain. The Egypt FIFA team is set to compete in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran. This marks a historic moment as the Pharaohs return to the world’s biggest football stage.
Background: Did Egypt Qualify for World Cup 2026?
Yes Egypt did qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Egypt topped the CAF qualifying Group A with an impressive record of 8 wins, 2 draws, and 0 losses across 10 matches, earning 26 points and securing direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Egypt has now qualified for the World Cup on four occasions: 1934, 1990, 2018, and 2026. The Pharaohs became the first African and Arab team to play at the finals back in 1934, a landmark moment for African football. Their return in 2026 is therefore highly anticipated across the continent and the Arab world.
The Egypt World Cup qualifiers 2026 table told a dominant story. Egypt finished with a goal difference of +18, scoring 20 goals and conceding just 2 throughout the entire qualification campaign. It was a commanding performance that left no doubt about their place at the tournament.
Egypt World Cup 2026 Squad: Full Players List
Head coach Hossam Hassan officially announced the Egypt World Cup 2026 squad on May 21, 2026. Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah will captain the squad and combine with Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush to lead the attack at the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed has been left out of Egypt’s preliminary squad, a notable surprise omission, even though he has struggled for form with only four goals in 24 matches this season as the French club were relegated from Ligue 1.
Uncapped teenager Hamza Abdelkarim, who plays for the Barcelona under-19 team, has been included and is considered one of the most promising forward talents in Egyptian football.
Egypt World Cup 2026 Squad Names — Full List
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), El Mahdi Soliman (Zamalek), Mohamed Alaa (El Gouna)
Defenders: Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Tarek Alaa (Zed), Hamdy Fathy (Al Wakrah), Rami Rabia (Al Ain), Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice), Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek), Karim Hafez (Pyramids)
Midfielders: Marwan Ateya (Al Ahly), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids), Nabil Emad (Al Najma), Mahmoud Saber (Zed), Ahmed Zizo (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly), Mostafa Ziko (Pyramids), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Al Ahly), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjaelland), Haissem Hassan (Real Oviedo)
Forwards: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Aqtay Abdallah (Enppi), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona U19)
One player will be dropped later to reduce the squad to the FIFA-mandated 26 players, after Egypt’s final home friendly against Russia in Cairo on May 28, before heading to the United States.
Mo Salah at World Cup 2026: A Dream Realized
Mo Salah World Cup 2026 is a headline the entire football world has been waiting for. The Liverpool forward, widely regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time, has never previously appeared at a FIFA World Cup. Egypt’s return to the tournament in 2026 gives Salah the chance to perform on the grandest stage of all.
Mohamed Salah will lead Egypt for the first time at a World Cup, captaining the side alongside Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush, forming one of the most exciting attacking partnerships at the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup represents a fitting pinnacle for Salah, who has broken countless records for both club and country. Football fans across Africa and the Middle East will be watching his every move as the Egypt FIFA team takes the field in North America.
Egypt World Cup Group: Group G Fixtures
Egypt has been drawn into World Cup Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran. It is a challenging but manageable group for the Pharaohs.
Here is the full Egypt World Cup Group G schedule:
Match 1: Belgium vs Egypt June 15, 2026, Lumen Field, Seattle Match 2: New Zealand vs Egypt June 21, 2026, BC Place, Vancouver Match 3: Egypt vs Iran June 26, 2026, Lumen Field, Seattle
Before the group stage begins, Egypt will also play Brazil in a friendly in Cleveland on June 6, giving the squad important preparation time on American soil.
Belgium is considered the overwhelming favorite to advance from Group G, while Egypt holds the next-best odds among the four sides. However, with Salah and Marmoush in attack, the Egypt FIFA team is more than capable of producing results against any opposition.
Quotes: Head Coach and Team Officials
Head coach Hossam Hassan announced the Egypt World Cup 2026 squad names in Cairo, expressing confidence in the selected group. The decision to include teenager Hamza Abdelkarim reflected a bold, forward-thinking approach from the coaching staff.
The omission of Mostafa Mohamed surprised many observers, though Hassan’s trust in the emerging Barcelona youth product signals the Egypt FIFA team is planning for the present and the future simultaneously.
The squad selection drew wide attention across Egyptian and Arab media, particularly the confirmation that Mo Salah World Cup 2026 ambitions are finally becoming reality after years of near misses.
Impact: What Egypt’s World Cup Return Means
Egypt’s presence at the FIFA World Cup 2026 carries enormous significance beyond football. Egypt holds the historic distinction of being the first African and Arab team ever to appear at a World Cup, doing so back in 1934. Their return in 2026 reinforces their status as a standard-bearer for African football.
Before 2026, Egypt’s World Cup record stood at 0 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses in World Cup finals matches. This time, with a world-class squad led by Salah and supported by Premier League talent like Marmoush, the Pharaohs are in a genuine position to register that elusive first World Cup victory.
For African football broadly, Egypt’s strong qualification topping their CAF group without a single defeat sends a powerful message about the growing strength of the continent’s teams on the global stage.
Conclusion: What to Expect from the Egypt FIFA Team
The Egypt World Cup 2026 squad is among the most talented groups the Pharaohs have ever assembled. With Mo Salah World Cup 2026 finally happening, the nation has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a deep run in the tournament.
If Egypt finishes top or runner-up in Group G, the team will advance to the round of 32, with further fixtures announced once group results are confirmed. Given the attacking quality available, progression from Group G is a realistic ambition.
Egypt fans around the world and the broader Arab and African football community will be following this Egypt squad list closely as the World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026. The Pharaohs are ready, and so is their captain.
FAQs
Will Egypt play in the World Cup 2026?
Yes. Egypt has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 by topping CAF Group A in the Africa qualifying stage without losing a single match. They are placed in World Cup Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran.
Which Egyptian team is in the World Club Cup?
Al Ahly, Egypt’s most decorated club, is Egypt’s representative in the FIFA Club World Cup. Al Ahly has a rich continental history, having won the CAF Champions League multiple times.
Is Mo Salah playing in the World Cup?
Yes. Mo Salah is not only playing in the World Cup 2026 he has been named captain of the Egypt FIFA team. It will be his first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup, making it one of the most anticipated storylines of the entire tournament.
