Salah to captain Egypt at World Cup, Marmoush also included in squad

Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush headlined Egypt's 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup as they prepare for their first appearance at the tournament since 2018. 

Salah is expected to captain Hossam Hassan's side in the United States, Canada and Mexico after ending his glittering nine-year stint with Liverpool in 2025-26. 

The 33-year-old left Anfield having scored 257 goals as well as providing 120 assists in 442 appearances across all competitions under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. 

He got an assist during his final game for the club in a 1-1 draw with Brentford, overtaking Steven Gerrard's 92 Premier League assists for Liverpool in the competition. 

But Salah comes into the tournament off the back of his worst return for the Reds in terms of goal involvements, though he still managed to register 22 for Liverpool. 

The Egyptian has made 113 appearances for his country, which is eighth on the all-time list, with two of those coming at the World Cup in Russia eight years ago. 

Salah scored twice during that campaign, but Egypt were dumped out in the group stages after losing all three of their matches against Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia. 

Marmoush is also included in Egypt's ranks despite managing just 11 goal contributions (eight goals, three assists) in all competitions for Manchester City this season. 

The City forward started just 18 of his 39 matches for Pep Guardiola's side, and he will be keen to make an impression amid rumours of a summer exit from the Etihad Stadium. 

Egypt have also selected 18-year-old forward ​Hamza Abdel Karim, who is on loan from Al Ahly at Barcelona Atletic, which is the reserve side of the LaLiga champions. 

The Pharaohs have already begun their preparations for the World Cup, beating Russia 1-0 in a friendly in Cairo, with Marmoush playing until the 72nd minute. 

Egypt also face five-time champions Brazil on June 6 before their Group G campaign begins against Belgium at Lumen Field nine days later. 

New Zealand and Iran are their other opponents in the group stage at the World Cup as they look to go beyond the first phase of the competition for the very first time. 

Egypt squad in full: 

Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), ​El-Mahdi Soliman (Zamalek), Mohamed ​Alaa (El Gouna); 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); Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Marwan Attia (Al Ahly) Ahmed Mostafa (Al Ahly), Mahmoud Hassan (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly), Mostafa Abdel Raouf (Pyramids), Mohannad Lasheen (Pyramids), ⁠Haitham ​Hassan (Real Oviedo), Mahmoud Saber (ZED), Ibrahim ​Adel (Nordsjaelland), Nabil Emad (Al-Najma).