The Egyptian national football team flew to Zurich, Switzerland on Tuesday to launch the first preparatory camp for the 2018 World Cup, which will kick off in Russia in June.

"The national team departed Cairo for Switzerland in the Pharaohs' first trip on their new private jet," the Egyptian Football Association said via its official Facebook page.

Egypt reached the world's most prestigious tournament after ending a 28-year old drought.

The preparatory camp will continue until 28 March, with the team playing two friendlies against Portugal on 23 March and Greece on the 27 March.

Ahly players joined the squad Tuesday after returning from their Champions League match in Gabon, while the remaining foreign-based players will join their teammates directly in Zurich.

On 6 March, Argentinean coach Hector Cuper called up 17 foreign-based players for the Switzerland camp, before calling up 11 local-based players for the same camp, ahead of the World Cup in June.

Egypt have been placed in Group A of the competition along with hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

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