Salah To Captain Egypt At World Cup 2026 As Marmoush Named In 26-man Squad

Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush lead Egypt's 26-player squad for the World Cup 2026, as Hossam Hassan prepares the Pharaohs for their first tournament appearance since 2018. Egypt aim to progress beyond the group stage for the first time, with fixtures in the United States, Canada and Mexico offering another chance on the global stage.

Salah is expected to captain Egypt after finishing a nine-season spell with Liverpool at the end of 2025-26. The forward arrives at the tournament after a campaign with fewer goal contributions than usual, yet still produced 22 for Liverpool, underlining Salah's ongoing importance for both club and country.

The Egyptian Football Association confirmed that Marmoush remains in the Egypt squad for World Cup 2026, even after a mixed season for Manchester City. The forward recorded 11 goal involvements in all competitions, with eight goals and three assists. Marmoush started 18 of 39 matches under Pep Guardiola and now looks to use this tournament to strengthen future club prospects.

Teenage forward Hamza Abdel Karim is another notable inclusion in the Egypt squad for World Cup 2026. The 18-year-old, contracted to Al Ahly, is currently on loan at Barcelona Atletic, the reserve side of the LaLiga champions. Abdel Karim offers an additional attacking option as Egypt attempt to refresh parts of the frontline around Salah and Marmoush.

Salah heads into the Egypt squad for World Cup 2026 with a major Liverpool legacy behind. The 33-year-old left Anfield having scored 257 goals and supplied 120 assists in 442 appearances under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. During a 1-1 draw with Brentford in Salah's final Liverpool game, another assist pushed him past Steven Gerrard's 92 Premier League assists for the club.

On the international stage, Salah has made 113 appearances for Egypt, which places Salah eighth on the country's all-time list. Two of those caps came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where Salah scored twice, yet Egypt lost all three matches against Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia, exiting in the group stage.

Egypt squad and World Cup 2026 fixtures and group

Egypt's build-up for the World Cup 2026 began with a 1-0 friendly win over Russia in Cairo, where Marmoush featured until the 72nd minute. The Egypt squad then meet five-time champions Brazil on 6 June, before starting their Group G schedule against Belgium at Lumen Field nine days later, on 15 June.

New Zealand and Iran complete Group G, setting a varied challenge for the Egypt squad at World Cup 2026. Egypt have never advanced beyond the first phase at a World Cup, so progress from this group would represent a new landmark for the national side, particularly with Salah and Marmoush expected to lead the attacking line.

The Egypt squad for World Cup 2026 features a blend of domestic and overseas-based players across all positions. Goalkeepers include Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir (both Al Ahly), El-Mahdi Soliman (Zamalek) and Mohamed Alaa (El Gouna). Defenders and deep midfield options feature Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice), Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim (both Al Ahly), Hossam Abdelmaguid, Ahmed Fattouh (Zamalek), Tarek Alaa (ZED), Rami Rabia (Al Ain), Hamdi Fathi (Al Wakrah) and Karim Hafez (Pyramids).

Further upfield, the Egypt squad for World Cup 2026 lists Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) alongside Marwan Attia, Ahmed Mostafa, Mahmoud Hassan and Emam Ashour from Al Ahly. Mostafa Abdel Raouf and Mohannad Lasheen represent Pyramids, while Haitham Hassan plays for Real Oviedo, Mahmoud Saber for ZED, Ibrahim Adel for Nordsjaelland and Nabil Emad for Al-Najma, complementing Marmoush and Abdel Karim in the attacking pool.

With a core built around Salah's experience, Marmoush's versatility and Abdel Karim's potential, Egypt enter World Cup 2026 targeting a historic first appearance in the knockout rounds. Recent friendly results, a diverse squad list and clear attacking leaders provide a defined platform as Hossam Hassan's team approach Group G in North America.