Salah Leads Egypt’s World Cup Squad; Canada Includes Recovering Davies

Mohamed Salah, the star winger for Liverpool, will captain Egypt’s final squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America, as confirmed by coach Hossam Hassan on Saturday. The announcement comes ahead of Egypt’s campaign, which kicks off against Belgium on June 15 in Seattle, part of Group G that also includes New Zealand and Iran.

Egypt’s Squad Highlights

The Egyptian lineup features a mix of seasoned players and emerging talent. Notably, 18-year-old striker Hamza Abdel Karim has been included. Currently on loan from Al Ahly to Barcelona Atletic, he represents a promising addition to the squad. Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, who netted eight goals in 36 appearances this season, is expected to spearhead Egypt’s offensive efforts during the tournament.

Egypt is set to play a final friendly match against Brazil on June 6 in Ohio, providing an opportunity to finalize their preparations.

Goalkeepers and Defenders

The goalkeeping duties will be shared among Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir from Al Ahly, El-Mahdi Soliman from Zamalek, and Mohamed Alaa from El Gouna.

The defensive lineup includes:

• Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice)
• Mohamed Hany
• Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly)
• Hossam Abdelmaguid
• Ahmed Fattouh (Zamalek)
• Tarek Alaa (ZED)
• Rami Rabia (Al Ain)
• Hamdi Fathi (Al Wakrah)
• Karim Hafez (Pyramids)

Midfielders and Forwards

In the midfield, Salah will be joined by:

• Marwan Attia
• Ahmed Mostafa “Zizo”
• Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet”
• Emam Ashour (Al Ahly)
• Mostafa Abdel Raouf
• Mohannad Lasheen (Pyramids)
• Haitham Hassan (Real Oviedo)
• Mahmoud Saber (ZED)
• Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjælland)
• Nabil Emad (Al-Najma)

The forward line will consist of:

• Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)
• Hamza Abdel Karim (Barcelona Atletic)

Canada’s Squad Announcement

In related news, Alphonso Davies has been confirmed to play for Canada at the World Cup, alleviating concerns over his fitness following a hamstring injury sustained during the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. The final squad announcement, made on Friday, revealed a 26-man team with few surprises, including notable players like Jonathan David from Juventus.

Coach Jesse Marsch expressed confidence in the squad, stating, “We really think this is our strongest group.” Despite injuries affecting the team, several recovering players have been included.

Davies’ Recovery and Team Dynamics

Davies is expected to join the Canadian team in Edmonton on May 31, allowing time for his recovery. His teammates have been training in Charlotte, North Carolina, while Davies has been following a separate training regimen.

Marsch has faced challenges in selecting a starting goalkeeper, feeling “tormented” by the decision between Maxime Crepeau from Orlando City and Dayne St. Clair from Inter Miami. The two goalkeepers, who are friends, have joked about their selection process, with St. Clair suggesting they might “play rocks-paper-scissors” to determine who starts.

Canadian Player Popularity

Davies stands out among Canadian soccer players, gaining significant recognition during the 2022 World Cup. His popularity is complemented by Jonathan David, who also enjoys a strong following, particularly among Canadians of Italian and Haitian descent.

One notable absence from the squad is Junior Hoilett, a long-time team member whose performance has declined as he approaches his 36th year. Marsch is known for prioritizing speed in his selections.

Marsch, an experienced coach with a history of managing teams in both Germany and England, emphasized that he wishes injuries were not the focal point of discussions regarding Canada’s prospects, asserting that this squad is the best Canada has ever assembled.

Squad Composition

The Canadian squad includes:

Goalkeepers:

• Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City SC)
• Owen Goodman (Barnsley FC, on loan from Crystal Palace FC)
• Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami FC)

Defenders:

• Moise Bombito (OGC Nice)
• Derek Cornelius (Olympique de Marseille)
• Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
• Luc de Fougerolles (Fulham FC)
• Alistair Johnston (Celtic FC)
• Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough FC)
• Richie Laryea (Toronto FC)
• Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split)
• Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire FC)

Midfielders:

• Ali Ahmed (Norwich City FC)
• Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal CF)
• Mathieu Choiniere (LAFC)
• Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto)
• Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL)
• Ismael Kone (U.S. Sassuolo Calcio)
• Liam Millar (Hull City FC)
• Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC)
• Nathan Saliba (R.S.C. Anderlecht)
• Jacob Shaffelburg (LAFC)

Forwards:

• Jonathan David (Juventus FC)
• Promise David (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise)
• Cyle Larin (RCD Mallorca)
• Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal CF)

As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.

Explore the latest digital editions of FAME Delivered in the Magazine section.

Published on 2026-05-30 11:28:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk