Mohamed Salah will carry Egypt's hopes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, named in head coach Hossam Hassan's preliminary 27-man squad and set to lead the side as captain. The Liverpool forward, who departs Anfield after nine years at the end of this season, remains the cornerstone of the Pharaohs' ambitions on the biggest stage international football has to offer.

At 33, Salah brings extraordinary experience to the squad. He has scored 67 goals in 115 appearances for Egypt and has captained the national side since 2019. Whatever next chapter awaits him at club level, his commitment to the international cause appears undimmed.

Marmoush joins Salah in attack

Salah is not the only Premier League talent in the squad. Manchester City winger Omar Marmoush also features, giving Egypt a formidable attacking spine with genuine pace and creativity at the top end. The two players provide Hassan with a high-quality threat that most of Egypt's Group G opponents will need to plan carefully around.

There is also an eye-catching inclusion further down the age spectrum. Hamza Abdelkarim, an uncapped 18-year-old who plays for Barcelona's Under-19 side, has been called up, underlining the faith Hassan is willing to show in emerging talent even on a stage as demanding as the World Cup.

One notable absentee is Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed, who has been left out of the preliminary selection entirely.

Squad to be trimmed before the tournament

The squad currently stands at 27 players, one above the FIFA-mandated limit of 26. Hassan will cut one player following a friendly against Russia in Cairo on 28 May to bring the group into compliance. Egypt also have a second warm-up fixture lined up — a match against Brazil in Cleveland on 6 June — before competitive action begins.

Group G fixtures and the wider picture

Egypt have been drawn in Group G and face three contrasting challenges. They open against Belgium on 15 June, before meeting New Zealand on 22 June and concluding the group stage against Iran on 27 June. Belgium represent the sternest test on paper, but all three fixtures are genuinely winnable, and the market will be watching closely once the squad is finalised.

The expanded 48-team tournament runs across the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July, giving the competition a broader global footprint than any previous World Cup. Egypt will be hoping Salah's presence can inspire a deep run, potentially his last opportunity to perform on the world stage at the peak of his powers.

Full Egypt preliminary squad

  • 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 Abdelmonemn (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)

Frequently asked

What group are Egypt in at the 2026 World Cup?
Egypt are in Group G, where they face Belgium on 15 June, New Zealand on 22 June and Iran on 27 June.
Is Mohamed Salah in Egypt's World Cup squad for 2026?
Yes. Mohamed Salah has been named in Egypt's preliminary 27-man World Cup squad and is set to captain the side at the tournament.
When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start and finish?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July and is hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.