Egypt has named a 29-man preliminary squad for the FIFA World, including veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary who might be the oldest player to ever feature in a World Cup tournament should he make the final list.
Coach Hector Cuper also named injured Mohammed El Neny despite the Arsenal man’s struggles with an ankle injury.
The provisional squad is dotted with impressive talents who ply their trade abroad, including record breaker Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Hegazi, etc.
Egypt qualified for the Russian showdown for the first time in nearly three decades, and will be hoping Salah’s rich vein of form can carry on to the tournament.
The Pharaohs are pooled alongside host Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group A.
Their first match in the World Cup will come against Uruguay on 15 June, the second game of the 2018 games.
Here’s the full preliminary squad;
Goalkeepers: Essam El Hadary (Al Taawoun, Saudi Arabia), Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly), Mohamed Awad (Ismaily);
Defenders: Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahly), Saad Samir (Al Ahly), Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Mahmoud Hamdy (Zamalek), Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (Al Fateh, Saudi Arabia) Ahmed Hegazi and Ali Gabr (both West Bromwich Albion, England), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa, England), Karim Hafez (RC Lens, France), Omar Gaber (Los Angeles FC, USA), Amro Tarek (Orlando City, USA);
Midfielders: Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mahmoud Abdel Aziz (Zamalek), Shikabala (Al Raed, Saudi Arabia), Abdallah Said (KuPS, Finland), Sam Morsy (Wigan Athletic, England), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, England), Kahraba (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City, England), Trezeguet (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Amr Warda (Atromitos, Greece);
Forwards: Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Ahmed Gomaa (Al Masry), Kouka (SC Braga, Portugal), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England).
