Egypt name Al Ahly debutant in squad for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has included Al Ahly midfielder Ali Mahmoud in his first senior squad, while recalling goalkeeper Abdel Aziz El Balouty to replace the injured Mohamed El Shenawy.

The Pharaohs begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign during the next international break, facing Angola on 25 September and South Sudan on 29 September. They will then play a friendly against South Africa on 4 October.

Ali Mahmoud has received his first call-up to the Egypt senior team. El Balouty, who plays for National Bank of Egypt, returns to the squad after previously being selected for the Pharaohs’ camp in March 2025.

The squad contains nine overseas-based players, including forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

Egypt squad

Goalkeepers: Mostafa Shobeir, El Mahdy Soliman, Mohamed Alaa, Abdel Aziz El Balouty.

Defenders: Rami Rabia, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Mohamed Hany, Karim Hafez, Ahmed Abou El Fotouh, Tarek Alaa.

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Mohand Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Ali Mahmoud, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Ibrahim Adel, Haitham Hassan, Hamdy Fathy, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko.

Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Hamza Abdelkarim.

Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Mohamed El Shenawy and Yasser Ibrahim have been left out because of injury. Nabil Emad Donga is also absent for technical reasons.

Marwan Attia will miss only the Angola match because of suspension. His ban was imposed following the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, which was held in Morocco.

Egypt schedule

The national team’s camp begins on 17 September at the National Teams Centre in 6 October City.

Egypt play Angola in the opening match of qualifying at Cairo International Stadium on 25 September, with kick-off at 21:00.

The squad will travel to South Sudan by private aircraft on 27 September before playing their second qualifying fixture there on 29 September. That match will start at 15:00.

The delegation is due to return to Cairo on 30 September.

Egypt’s final fixture of the break is a friendly against South Africa at Cairo International Stadium on 4 October.