Egypt begin training camp ahead of Saudi Arabia, Spain friendlies

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Monday 23 Mar 2026

Egypt’s national football team began a preparatory camp on Sunday night ahead of high-profile friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Spain as part of their build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Photo courtesy of EFA.

 

The Pharaohs will take on Saudi Arabia on 27 March in Jeddah before travelling to Barcelona to face Spain on 31 March at the RCDE Stadium, home of Espanyol.

On Sunday, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan announced a 26-man squad for the two matches. Team captain and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is absent due to injury.

The camp started with locally based players, while foreign-based squad members are expected to join in the coming hours, according to a statement by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA). 

Real Oviedo's winger Haissem Hassan, who received his first ever Egypt call-up this time, already joined the camp on Monday morning.

Seven-time African champions Egypt have been drawn into Group G at the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand.

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