With the approach of Egypt’s important international commitments, debate is increasing over the strikers that the technical staff led by coach Hossam Hassan will rely on, especially amid the decline in form and readiness of several forwards who were previously considered key options. This has reopened the entire discussion around the attacking line.

A Remarkable Rise Reshaping the Attack

Recently, the young striker Hamza Abdel Karim has emerged strongly with Barcelona’s youth team after joining from Al Ahly on loan with a purchase option. He has delivered impressive performances, most notably scoring a hat-trick within minutes in one of the Spanish youth league matches, significantly boosting his market value and drawing attention from the Spanish media.

Reports from Spain indicate that Barcelona is moving toward activating the buyout clause for the player permanently, with additional bonuses linked to appearances and development, while Al Ahly will retain a percentage of any future resale. This reflects the high expectations placed on him moving forward.

On the other hand, striker Ahmed Yasser Rayan continues to establish himself as one of the most prominent local forwards in the Egyptian Premier League, attracting the attention of the national team’s technical staff due to his consistent performances and ability to finish scoring chances, especially amid fluctuations in other attacking options.

Declining Readiness Complicates Hossam Hassan’s Plans

At the same time, the coaching staff led by Hossam Hassan is facing a clear crisis in the attacking line, as several strikers who were previously considered part of the core plans have recently suffered drops in form and physical readiness. This has directly impacted the stability of attacking selections.

This decline has pushed the technical staff to conduct a full reassessment of all available options, moving away from fixed names and opening the door for more ready and capable players to execute the required tactical roles on the pitch.

Is the Duo Getting Closer to the National Team?

These developments place the coaching staff in a difficult dilemma when selecting the attacking line, especially with Hossam Hassan prioritizing current readiness over any other factor. Between a young player shining in Europe like Hamza Abdel Karim and a local striker proving himself strongly like Ahmed Yasser Rayan, the decision becomes increasingly complex and sensitive.

Sources within the national team confirm that monitoring is ongoing for all strikers without exception, with a focus on those who can maintain their performance under international pressure. This keeps competition open until the final squad announcement.

Can Hamza Abdel Karim Join the National Team Despite His Young Age?

From a technical standpoint, it is entirely possible for Hamza Abdel Karim to join the senior Egypt national team despite being 18 years old and playing in a youth squad. In modern football, age is no longer a barrier if a player has full readiness.

The key criteria used by the coaching staff led by Hossam Hassan are:

Technical and physical readiness

Ability to adapt to the speed and intensity of international matches

Consistency in delivering strong performances

Although Hamza is showing impressive levels with Barcelona’s youth team, the final decision depends on his ability to handle the pressure of major matches, not age alone.

The conclusion is that his inclusion in the senior national team is possible but conditional on continued development and consistency, with the possibility of gradual integration if the coaching staff decides to call him up in the future.