Al Ahly face big calls as deadline looms for squad finalization

Al Ahly are racing against time to finalize their 2025/26 squad before Saturday’s registration deadline.

Club president Mahmoud El-Khatib is set to meet with head coach Jose Riveiro and sporting director Mohamed Youssef to wrap up critical decisions on the preliminary roster.

A club source confirmed that key names like Mustafa Shobeir, Mohamed Hani, Hussein El-Shahat, Imam Ashour, and Aliou Dieng will feature in the squad, alongside new signings Ahmed Ramadan Beckham, Mahmoud Trezeguet, and Zizo.

However, the foreign player quota remains a pressing issue. With the Egyptian FA allowing only five non-Egyptians on the initial list, Al Ahly currently have six contenders, Ashraf Dari, Ashraf Ben Sharqi, Gardishar, Dieng, Christo, and Reda Selim. A decision between Christo, who refuses a loan or exit, and Selim, targeted for a move to Ceramica Cleopatra, must be made before the window shuts.

Players like Samir Mohamed, Omar El-Saai, and Karim Nedved are likely to be sold or loaned out. Al Ahly may still have until August 6 to tweak the list before the second registration window closes.