Egypt coach Javier Aguirre has finalized his squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Pharaohs poised to be one of the tournament favorites as hosts of the competition. Leading the team is star forward Mohamed Salah, whose world-class form at Liverpool will be central to Egypt’s attacking threat. The squad also includes a strong supporting cast, blending experience and emerging talent to compete at the highest level in Group A, which features the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Aguirre trimmed his preliminary roster, leaving out players such as Gabr, Sobhi, and Kahraba, and has now confirmed the 25-man squad ahead of two final friendly matches against Tanzania on June 13 and Guinea on June 16. Among the recent exclusions are goalkeeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal and left-back Ahmed Aboul-Fotouh (Smouha). Key players who remain include Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny and central defender Ahmed Hegazy, providing solidity in midfield and defense, alongside the attacking brilliance of Salah and Trezeguet.
In goal, Egypt’s options include Ahmed El-Shennawy (Pyramids), Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al-Ahly), and Mahmoud Gennesh (Zamalek), giving Aguirre a balance of reliability and experience between the posts. The defensive lineup combines domestic stalwarts and international players, with Ahmed El Mohamady (Aston Villa, England), Baher El Mohamady (Ismaily), Ahmed Hegazi (West Bromwich, England), Mahmoud Alaa (Zamalek), Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh (Zamalek), Ahmed Ayman Mansour (Pyramids), Omar Gaber (Pyramids), and Ayman Ashraf (Al-Ahly). This defensive unit offers both physicality and tactical awareness, critical for hosting a major continental tournament.
Egypt’s midfield features a mix of leadership, creativity, and energy, with Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, England), Ali Ghazal (Feirense, Portugal), Nabil Emad Dunga (Pyramids), Walid Soliman (Al-Ahly), Abdallah El Said (Pyramids), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Kasimpasa, Turkey), and Amr Warda (Atromitos, Greece). This core allows Aguirre to control games, transition quickly from defense to attack, and supply the forwards with quality service.
Up front, the Pharaohs rely on Ahmed Ali (Arab Contractors), Marwan Mohsen (Al-Ahly), and Ahmed Hassan Koka (Olympiacos, Greece) to convert chances and lead the offensive line. Salah’s presence adds both speed and clinical finishing, while Trezeguet and El Said offer additional options for creativity and goal-scoring from midfield.
With the squad now confirmed, Egypt can focus on their final preparations at home, using the upcoming friendlies to fine-tune tactics, build team cohesion, and ensure top players like Salah and Elneny are fully fit for the tournament. As hosts and clear Group A favorites, the Pharaohs enter the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with ambition, experience, and talent, aiming to leverage home advantage to advance deep into the competition and contend for the title.
