Elneny, El Shahat miss Egypt's preparatory camp for Arab Cup

Mahmoud Elassal , Sunday 5 Oct 2025

Former Arsenal midfielder Elneny, who currently plays for Al Jazeera in the UAE and Ahly winger Hussein El Shahat have been excluded from Egypt's home-based national team camp in preparation for the upcoming Arab Cup due to injuries.

Egypt home-based players
Egypt home-based players

 

The Pharaohs' B team, coached by Helmi Toulan, will fly to Morocco on Monday to face the host nation and Bahrain on 9 and 12 October, respectively.

The squad includes experienced players such as Ceramica Cleopatra’s Amr El-Sulaya and Zamalek defenders Omar Gaber and Mahmoud "El-Wensh" Hamdy, but will be missing Elneny, El Shahat, and Mahmoud Zalaka, who were sidelined due to injuries after attending the previous camp last month.

Former Ipswich Town Captain Sam Morsy, whose future with Kuwait SC remains uncertain, is also part of the squad.

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

The Local Organizing Committee has confirmed that the prize fund for the 2025 Arab Cup will exceed $36.5 million, a record sum aimed at raising the tournament’s international profile.

With the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) set to take place 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.

Egypt's 27-man squad

Goalkeepers: Ahmed El-Shennawy (Pyramids FC), Ali Lotfi (ZED FC), Mahmoud Gad (Pyramids FC).

Defenders: Mahmoud "El-Wensh" Hamdy (Zamalek), Ahmed Samy (Pyramids FC), Mahmoud Rezk (Modern Sport), Mohamed Ismail (ZED FC), Yassin Marie (Ahly), Omar Gaber (Zamalek), Ahmed Hany (Ceramica Cleopatra), Karim El Debes (Ceramica Cleopatra) and Yahya Zakaria (Ghazl El Mahalla).

Midfielders: Akram Tawfik (Al Shamal - Qatar), Amr El-Sulaya (Ceramica Cleopatra), Sam Morsy (Kuwait SC - Kuwait), Karim Hafez (Pyramids FC), Ahmed Atef (Pyramids FC), Omar El-Saiy (Masry), Ghannam Mohamed (Modern Sport), Mohamed "Afsha" Magdi (Ahly), Mido Gaber (Masry), Mostafa Shalaby (NBE Club), and Mostafa Saad (ZED FC).

Forwards: Marwan Hamdi (Pyramids FC), Mohamed Sherif (Ahly).

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