Egypt’s newly appointed head coach, Ali Maher, has named his first 26-man squad, with captain Mohamed Salah and forward Omar Marmoush among the headline selections ahead of the country’s two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Malawi.
The squad announcement marks the beginning of Maher’s tenure following his appointment on November 7, 2026, after the Egyptian Football Association parted ways with former coach Hossam Hassan.
Maher faces an immediate test, with Egypt preparing for two important Group B encounters against Malawi on November 13 and 17. The matches will form the third and fourth rounds of the qualifying campaign.
Salah, who plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor, will lead the team, while Marmoush of Tottenham Hotspur provides another major attacking option.
The selection also includes several experienced players returning to the national team and a first senior call-up for Modern Sport striker Mahmoud Mamdouh.
Salah and Marmoush headline Egypt’s attacking options
Salah remains the central figure in Egypt’s national team setup. His inclusion is particularly significant as the Pharaohs begin preparations under a new manager following weeks of uncertainty surrounding the coaching position.
Marmoush is another important selection. The Tottenham forward brings additional pace and attacking versatility to a squad expected to compete for maximum points in the two meetings with Malawi.
Other attacking options include Barcelona youngster Hamza Abdelkarim, Celtic’s Haitham Hassan and Mahmoud Mamdouh of Modern Sport.
Mamdouh’s selection is one of the most notable developments in Maher’s first squad. The forward earned his maiden senior call-up after scoring eight goals in the opening eight matches of the Egyptian Premier League season, making him the competition’s leading scorer at the time of selection.
His inclusion gives Maher an opportunity to assess a promising domestic player alongside established international forwards.
El Shenawy and Trezeguet return
Maher has also recalled several players who were absent from Egypt’s previous squad.
Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy returns to the national team after missing the September international camp. His experience and leadership are expected to strengthen Egypt’s goalkeeping department.
Mahmoud Hassan, popularly known as Trezeguet, has also been included after recovering from an injury that kept him out of the previous international window.
Other notable returnees include Zamalek defender Mahmoud Hamdy, commonly called El-Wensh, midfielder Mohamed Shehata and Pyramids players Mahmoud Marei and Nasser Maher.
Their selection indicates that the new coach is keen to combine familiar international figures with players who have impressed at club level.
However, some established names were left out. Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour was not selected, while striker Mostafa Mohamed also remains outside the squad.
Egypt prepare for crucial Malawi double-header
The Pharaohs will host Malawi in Cairo on November 13 before travelling for the return fixture on November 17.
Egypt currently lead Group B with four points from their opening two qualifying matches.
Their campaign began with a goalless draw against Angola before they responded with an emphatic 5-0 victory over South Sudan.
Malawi occupy third position with three points. They began their campaign with a 2-1 win over South Sudan but subsequently lost 3-1 to Angola.
The two upcoming fixtures offer Egypt an opportunity to strengthen their position at the top of the group and move closer to securing a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Maher begins new chapter after Hossam Hassan’s departure
Maher’s appointment followed the Egyptian Football Association’s decision to dismiss Hossam Hassan, who had guided the national team to the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hassan’s departure brought an end to his spell in charge after a period that included strong performances on the international stage but also growing scrutiny over the team’s direction.
Maher, a former Egypt and Al Ahly forward, arrives with considerable experience in Egyptian club football. His managerial career has included spells with Future FC, Pyramids, Smouha, ENPPI, Al Masry and Ceramica Cleopatra.
He built a reputation for attacking football, with his teams often relying on possession, forward movement and an aggressive approach in the final third.
His first assignment with Egypt will provide an early indication of how he intends to translate that philosophy into international football.
The coach must also manage expectations surrounding a squad featuring high-profile players such as Salah and Marmoush, while creating a competitive team capable of challenging for major honours.
Full list of Egypt’s 26-man squad
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy, El Mahdy Soliman, Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Alaa.
Defenders: Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh, Hossam Abdelmeguid, Ramy Rabiaa, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Mahmoud Marei, Mohamed Hany, Karim Hafez, Ahmed Fattouh, Tarek Alaa.
Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Mohannad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Mohamed Shehata, Nasser Maher, Ibrahim Adel, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Haitham Hassan.
Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Hamza Abdelkarim, Mahmoud Mamdouh.
With the Malawi fixtures approaching, Maher will have limited time to settle into his new role. His immediate priority is to get the squad prepared, maintain Egypt’s position in Group B and begin his national team career with positive results.
