Salah’s hat-trick leads Egypt’s nine overseas players into Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

Egypt will begin their campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with nine overseas-based players in Hossam Hassan’s 24-man squad.

The Pharaohs are in Group B alongside Angola, Malawi and South Sudan, and will play three matches during the international window from 21 September to 6 October.

They face Angola at Cairo Stadium on 25 September at 22:00, before travelling to Juba to meet South Sudan on 29 September at 15:00. Their final fixture is against South Africa at Cairo Stadium on Sunday, 4 October.

The squad includes 15 locally based players. Ibrahim Hassan, the team director, confirmed that Al-Wakrah midfielder Hamdy Fathy had been ruled out through injury and replaced by Frosinone defender Omar Fayed.

Mohamed Salah – Trabzonspor

Mohamed Salah joined Trabzonspor during the summer after agreeing to end his contract with Liverpool at the conclusion of last season.

The 34-year-old, who wears the number 10 shirt, is the Turkish league’s leading scorer with seven goals, one ahead of Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.

Salah has played eight matches for the club – six in the Turkish league and two in the Europa League qualifying rounds. He has started all but the opening game against Kasimpasa.

He scored twice against Basaksehir and once against Amedspor and Genclerbirligi, before completing a hat-trick against Galatasaray shortly before joining Egypt’s camp.

Omar Marmoush and Hamza Abdelkarim

Omar Marmoush made one appearance for Manchester City this season, coming on for 37 minutes in the Community Shield, before moving to Tottenham Hotspur shortly before the transfer window closed.

He has started four matches for Spurs against Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Aston Villa. Marmoush has yet to score or provide an assist, while Tottenham have scored only twice in their latest defeat by Aston Villa and sit bottom of the table.

Barcelona forward Hamza Abdelkarim was the club’s leading scorer during pre-season, registering four of their 14 goals, including one against Al Ahly. The 18-year-old is included in Barcelona’s squads for La Liga and the Champions League and played four minutes against Rayo Vallecano in the third league round.

Egypt’s remaining overseas players

Nordsjaelland midfielder Ibrahim Adel has started regularly, helping the Danish side through the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds with two assists. He has scored once and created another goal in nine league appearances, with Nordsjaelland fourth on 17 points, seven behind leaders Copenhagen.

Nice defender Mohamed Abdelmonem returned after missing last season with a cruciate ligament injury. He started against Paris FC, Le Mans, Auxerre and Lille after appearing as a substitute against Lorient, and received the highest rating among Nice players in their first league win, against Lille.

Hossam Abdelmaged joined Ludogorets from Zamalek in early August. After a six-minute substitute appearance against Slavia Sofia, he started the next three league matches. Ludogorets had already exited the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds before his arrival.

Celtic winger Haitham Hassan arrived from Real Oviedo. He played seven minutes in the first leg against LASK but did not feature in the return match. He later started four league games and supplied one assist, before coming on for 19 minutes in a 1-0 defeat by Rangers. Across nine matches and 431 minutes, he has one assist.

Frosinone defender Omar Fayed, signed from Fenerbahce, made one substitute appearance in the Italian Cup. Frosinone lost to Sassuolo 5-4 on penalties in the last 32, although Fayed scored his spot-kick.

Al Ain defender Rami Rabia has started five UAE league matches and one in the AFC Champions League Elite. He scored and assisted against Al Nasr, then helped Al Ain beat Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr 4-0. He has also helped keep three clean sheets. Al Ain, the reigning league and cup double winners, share top spot with Al Jazira on 13 points.