Barcelona Athletic coach Paul Planas praises Hamza AbdelKarim after Egypt World Cup call-up

Barcelona U-19 coach Paul Planas has eulogized young striker Hamza Abdel Karim following his inclusion in Egypt squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be staged in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The 18-year-old, who is currently on loan at FC Barcelona from Al Ahly SC, has continued to attract attention both in Spain and internationally after being named by Egypt coach Hossam Hassan in a provisional squad of 27 players, from which 26 will eventually be selected for the final tournament list.

Speaking to Lila Kora, Planas highlighted the striker’s professionalism and rapid adaptation to Barcelona’s demanding football philosophy, stressing that his development is being carefully managed within the club’s youth structure.

“Hamza is a professional player in every sense of the word. He is extremely hardworking and has a great desire to learn,” Planas said.

He further explained that Barcelona’s coaching staff have been actively supporting the youngster through a structured development plan designed to ease his transition into the club’s tactical identity.

“The club is making a great effort to help him adapt. He is learning Barcelona’s style; it took him some time at first, but through videos, individual meetings, and the team’s understanding of him on the pitch, we are seeing more of the best in him,” he added.

Planas also emphasized that patience remains key in the player’s progression, warning against rushing expectations despite the growing excitement surrounding his international breakthrough.

“He is very focused, he wants to be a real footballer, and we have to take it step by step. There is no need to rush. We should congratulate him on being called up for the World Cup, but we have to take things simply,” he said.

The comments come at a time when Abdel Karim’s profile is rising significantly. His World Cup call-up is being viewed as a major milestone in his career development and a strong validation of Barcelona’s decision to integrate him into their youth system.

Within the club, there is growing belief that the striker is beginning to fully understand the tactical and technical demands of Barcelona’s playing model, particularly in areas such as positional awareness, pressing structure, and off-the-ball movement. Coaches at La Masia reportedly believe that continued exposure to high-level training and international experience will be crucial to his long-term progression.

Barcelona are also believed to retain a long-term option to secure the player permanently from Al Ahly, depending on performance-related conditions and internal evaluations of his development trajectory. The club’s sporting department is said to be monitoring his situation closely as they plan ahead for the next phase of squad building.

For now, the focus remains on gradual development rather than immediate pressure, with the club prioritising stability and structured growth as the young striker continues to balance club progression with international duty for Egypt.

His World Cup inclusion is expected to further accelerate his exposure to elite-level football, while Barcelona remain committed to guiding his development carefully within their academy framework.