Future FC’s midfield duo Mohamed "Bobo" Reda and Ghannam Mohamed received their first ever call for the national team by the Portugese coach.

The squad also included Smouha Defender Ahmed "Beckham" Ramadan, NBE Club attacking midfielder Mohamed Helal and Future FC defender Mahmoud Marei, who were called up in previous occasions, but have not played for the team yet.

Ahly winger Hussein El-Shahat, Ahly's central defender Yasser Ibrahim, Zamalek’s fullback Ahmed Fatouh, Ceramica Cleopatra striker Ahmed Rayyan, and NBE goalkeeper Mohamed Abu Gabal returned for the squad for the first time in months.

Skipper and Liverpool star winger Mohamed Salah was also named in the squad alongside other three foreign-based players; Wolfsburg’s striker Omar Marmoush, Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed and Trabzonspor’s winger Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan.

The most important names missing in the squad are the injured Ittihad Jeddah’ duo midfielder Tarek Hamed and defender Ahmed Hegazy.

CF Montreal midfielder Ahmed Hamdi and Ipswich Town midfielder Sam Morsy were dropped by Vitorio in the final call for the camp despite being initially called up in the foreign-based players’ preliminary list for the game that was announced on 28 May.

This Pharaohs squad are also due to play a friendly game against South Sudan on 18 June at Cairo International Stadium.

Egypt are poised to secure a spot in the continental finals as they only need one point from their remaining two qualifiers to book a place in the prestigious tournament.

With three wins and only one loss against Ethiopia, Egypt are currently leading Group D with nine points, tied with Guinea whom they defeated 1-0 in their first encounter.

Meanwhile, Malawi and Ethiopia are occupying the third and fourth positions in the group, respectively, with three points each.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) will take place in Cote d'Ivoire in January 2024.

Egypt’s full 28-man squad
 

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy (Ahly), Mohamed Sobhi (Zamalek), Mohamed Abou Gabal (NBE)

Defenders: Mohamed Hany (Ahly), Hesham Salah (Ittihad of Alexandria), Ahmed ‘Beckham’ Ramadan (Ceramica Cleopatra), Yasser Ibrahim (Ahly), Ali Gabr (Pyramids FC), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Ahly), Mahmoud Marei (Future FC), Mohamed Hamdy (Zamalek), Abu El-Fotouh (Zamalek)

Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Ahly), Mohanad Lasheen (Talae El Gaish), Hamdi Fathy (Ahly), Ghanam Mohamed (Future FC), Mahmoud Hamada (Pharco FC), Ahmed Zizo (Zamalek), Mohamed Helal (NBE), Mohamed Reda Bobo (Future FC)

Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids FC), Hussein El-Shahat (Ahly), Omar Marmoush (Wolfsburg), Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan (Trabzonspor), Mahmoud Kahraba (Ahly), Ahmed Yasser Rayan (Ceramica Cleopatra), Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes)

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