Ali Maher has announced his first Egypt squad since taking charge of the national team, with five players recalled and Mahmoud Mamdouh receiving his first call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Malawi.
Egypt’s camp will begin on 9 November at the National Teams Centre ahead of the third- and fourth-round matches. The Pharaohs are aiming to strengthen their position at the top of Group B and move closer to qualification for the continental tournament.
Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy returns to the squad alongside Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wench”, Mohamed Shehata, Nasser Maher and Mahmoud Marei.
Mamdouh, the Modern Sport striker, has been included for the first time after scoring eight goals to become the leading scorer in the Egyptian league.
Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour remains out for technical reasons, while National Bank of Egypt goalkeeper Abdel Aziz El Balouty has been omitted following El Shenawy’s return.
Omar Fayed, the Frosinone defender, is also absent after joining the squad during the previous international break as cover for Hamdy Fathy. Fathy, who plays for Al Wakrah, misses out because of injury.
Al Ahly midfielder Ali Mahmoud, who made his international debut in the previous camp, has not been selected, with Zamalek’s Mohamed Shehata returning to the squad.
Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” is another notable returnee after recovering from the injury that ruled him out of Egypt’s last international commitments.
There is still no place for Konyaspor striker Mostafa Mohamed, who has been outside the national-team set-up since Egypt’s appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
The full Egypt squad is:
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Mehdi Suleiman (Zamalek), Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), Mohamed Alaa (Ceramica Cleopatra).
Defenders: Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wench” (Zamalek), Hossam Abdel-Meguid (Ludogorets), Rami Rabia (Al Ain), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice), Mahmoud Marei (Pyramids), Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Karim Hafez (Pyramids), Ahmed Fattouh (Zamalek), Tarek Alaa (Zed).
Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Mohannad Lasheen (Pyramids), Mahmoud Saber (Pyramids), Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek), Nasser Maher (Pyramids), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjaelland), Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” (Al Riyadh), Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” (Al Ahly), Haitham Hassan (Celtic).
Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor), Omar Marmoush (Tottenham Hotspur), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona), Mahmoud Mamdouh (Modern Sport).
Egypt will host the first match at Cairo International Stadium on 13 November before travelling to Malawi for the return fixture at Bingu International Stadium on 17 November.
The Pharaohs lead Group B with four points, ahead of second-placed Angola on goal difference. Malawi are third with three points, while South Sudan are bottom without a point.
Egypt began their qualifying campaign with a goalless draw away to Angola, then secured their first win by beating South Sudan 5-0 away from home.
