2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to introduce another major innovation when the tournament begins next year, with first-time participants set to wear a special “Debut” badge during their opening match.
The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada, will run from 11 June to 19 July and will feature 48 national teams for the first time in World Cup history.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, players appearing in the World Cup for the first time will wear a patch reading “Debut” on their shirts during their opening match of the competition. The shirts are also expected to become commemorative items and be used later on special collector cards.
For Egypt national football team, the new initiative could apply to the vast majority of the squad because of the country’s limited World Cup participation over the years and its absence from the most recent tournament in Qatar.
Only three likely to avoid the badge
Reports published by Yalla Kora suggest only three members of Egypt’s expected squad have previous World Cup experience and would therefore not wear the “Debut” badge in the Pharaohs’ opening match against Belgium national football team.
The trio consists of Mohamed Salah, captain of Egypt and star of Liverpool FC, along with goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and winger Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, both of Al Ahly SC.
All three represented Egypt at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The report also indicated that Egypt coach Hossam Hassan could still make late adjustments to his squad in the event of injuries or unforeseen circumstances.
Several experienced players who featured in the 2018 tournament remain active and could still enter contention. Those names include Abdallah El Said, Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh and Omar Gaber of Zamalek SC, as well as defender Ahmed Hegazi of Neom SC and Ali Gabr from Pyramids FC.
Former Al Ahly players Saad Samir and Mahmoud Abdel Moneim Kahraba were also mentioned among the experienced names still playing professionally.
New generation ready for World Cup stage
A large number of Egypt’s emerging stars are expected to experience the World Cup for the first time following their rise over the last three seasons.
Among the goalkeepers likely to wear the “Debut” badge are Mostafa Shobeir, El Mahdi Soliman and Mohamed Alaa.
Defenders expected to receive the patch include Ahmed Fatouh, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Yasser Ibrahim, Rami Rabia, Hossam Abdel Meguid, Mohamed Hany and Hamdi Fathi.
The midfield and attacking group is also expected to feature several first-time participants, including Imam Ashour, Mohannad Lasheen, Marwan Attia, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Ibrahim Adel, Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed.
Egypt have been placed in Group G of the tournament and are scheduled to begin their campaign against Belgium in Seattle before facing New Zealand national football team in Vancouver and Iran national football team back in Seattle.
For many members of Egypt’s squad, the competition will mark not only a first appearance at football’s biggest tournament, but also a moment permanently recorded through FIFA’s newest World Cup tradition.
