A state of anticipation is rising within Egyptian football circles as the announcement of Egypt’s squad for the 2026 World Cup approaches, with possible surprises and new names expected to enter the final shortlist, especially in the attacking line, where competition for places has become intense.

Hamza Abdel Karim edges closer to the World Cup

In a notable development inside the Egypt national team camp, the name of young striker Hamza Abdel Karim has started to strongly emerge within the national team’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

His inclusion in the preliminary squad was confirmed by the national team director Ibrahim Hassan, who stated that the technical staff has placed him among the available options, while closely monitoring his performances with FC Barcelona.

The young player continues to attract attention in Spain despite featuring only for the youth teams, as he goes through a rapid development phase that has made his name increasingly mentioned inside the Catalan club, with growing discussions about his future role and potential greater involvement.

Attacking competition before the final decision

The Egyptian national team squad is witnessing strong competition in the attacking positions, with several local and international names in contention, while Hamza Abdel Karim stands out as one of the most debated options within the coaching staff, especially after his recent performances.

Reports indicate that the national team is preparing an expanded preliminary squad of 35 to 55 players before narrowing it down to the final list for the tournament, placing the young striker under significant pressure in the coming period.

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Egypt starting its campaign against Belgium, followed by matches against New Zealand and Iran.

Between the player’s ambitions and the coaching staff’s expectations, the final decision remains dependent on performances during the crucial period leading up to the official squad announcement.