Egypt's national team held their first training session in Cairo on Monday to prepare for the much-anticipated match against Uganda on 31 August.

The Egyptians will be hosted by the Cranes in the third round of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.

"Fifteen players were present at the first training session in the preparatory camp for the Uganda match," the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said in a statement via its official Facebook page.

Veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who currently plays for Saudi side Al-Taawoun FC, was the only foreign-based player at Monday's session, with the others expected to join after the weekend matches.

The Pharaohs are scheduled to fly to Kampala two days before the match, which will take place at the Mandela National Stadium.

The two nations will meet again on 5 September at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium.

Topping Group E with six points, the Pharaohs are looking for a victory in the Ugandan capital to boost their qualification chances.

Egypt last made it to the World Cup in 1990, and hope to end their 28-year wait with an appearance in Russia next year.

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