Elneny back, eight new faces in Egypt's home-based squad for Algeria friendlies

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Sunday 9 Nov 2025

Egypt’s home-based national team coach Helmi Toulan announced on Sunday a 27-man squad ahead of the Algeria friendly as both sides prepare for the upcoming Arab Cup, scheduled to take place in Qatar from 1 to 18 December.

File Photo: Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny. EFA

The Egyptian team will begin their final preparatory camp for the Arab Cup on Monday, facing Algeria twice on 14 and 17 November at Cairo’s Al-Salam Stadium.

With the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) set to run in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has decided to field a B team in the Arab Cup while the senior squad competes in the continental tournament.

Toulan selected eight new faces for the November camp, including Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awwad, who replaces Pyramids FC’s Ahmed El-Shenawy after his call-up to the senior team.

Veteran midfielder and former Arsenal player Mohamed Elneny, currently with Al Jazeera in the UAE, rejoined the squad after missing the previous camp.

Other new additions include Ceramica Cleopatra goalkeeper Mohamed Bassam, Masry defender Karim El-Eraki, Ahly defender Karim Fouad, Petrojet centre-back Hady Riad, FC Arouca centre-back Omar Fayed, Zamalek midfielder Ahmed Rabee, Modern Sport SC winger Mohamed Mosaad, Ceramica Cleopatra winger Eslam Eissa, and NBE Club striker Ahmed Yasser.

Egypt has been drawn into Group C of the Arab Cup alongside Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and the winner of the qualifier between Mauritania and Kuwait.

In October, the Egyptian team played two friendlies during a training camp in Morocco, losing 2-0 to the hosts before beating Bahrain 4-0.

The full 27-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed Awwad (Zamalek), Ali Lotfi (ZED FC), Mohamed Bassam (Ceramica Cleopatra), Mahmoud Gad (Pyramids FC)

Defenders: Ahmed Hany (Ceramica Cleopatra), Karim Eleraky (Masry), Yahya Zakaria (Ghazl El Mahalla), Karim Fouad (Ahly), Ahmed Samy (Pyramids FC), Mahmoud "El-Wensh" Hamdi (Zamalek), Yassin Marei (Ahly), Hady Riad (Petrojet), Omar Fayed (FC Arouca)

Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny (Al Jazeera - UAE), Akram Tawfik (Al Shamal - Qatar), Amr El-Sulaya (Ceramica Cleopatra), Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy (Ahly), Mostafa Saad (ZED), Mohamed Mosaad (Modern SC), Ahmed Rabee (Zamalek), Ahmed Atef (Pyramids FC), Ghannam Mohamed (Modern Sport), Mostafa Shalaby (NBE), Eslam Eissa (Ceramica Cleopatra)

Forwards: Mohamed Sherif (Ahly), Ahmed Yasser (NBE), Marwan Hamdi (Pyramids FC)

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