Egypt’s national team head coach Hossam Hassan is due to address the media on Thursday evening ahead of his side’s international friendly against Saudi Arabia, a fixture seen as part of the country’s build-up to the 2026 World Cup.
The press conference is scheduled to take place at 6:00 pm Cairo time at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, where Egypt will also face Saudi Arabia the following day. The match, set for Friday evening at 7:30 pm, is anticipated to attract significant attention from fans across the Arab world.
Final preparations underway in Jeddah
Ahead of the encounter, Egypt will hold a training session later on Thursday at 7:00 pm Cairo time at the Al-Jawhara auxiliary stadium. The session forms part of an intensive March training camp, during which Hassan is understood to have finalised his preferred starting line-up as he prepares the team for upcoming competitive fixtures.
The friendly provides an opportunity for the Egyptian squad to build cohesion and test tactical approaches against strong regional opposition, as preparations intensify for the next phase of World Cup qualification.
Squad selection reflects depth and experimentation
Hassan has named a broad squad for the March camp, covering all areas of the pitch. In goal, Mohamed El Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Mahdi Soliman and Mohamed Alaa have been selected.
The defensive line includes Mohamed Hany, Tarek Alaa, Ramy Rabia, Mohamed Abdel Moneim, Yasser Ibrahim, Hossam Abdel Meguid, Khaled Sobhi, Ahmed Fatouh and Ahmed Nabil Kouka.
In midfield, the coach has called up Hamdi Fathi, Marwan Attia, Mohannad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Emam Ashour, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Omar Marmoush, Ibrahim Adel, Haitham Hassan and Islam Issa.
Leading the attack are Mostafa Mohamed and Nasser Mansi, both of whom will be expected to shoulder much of the scoring responsibility.
Salah absence opens door for others
Notably absent from the squad is Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who has been ruled out of the camp due to injury. His absence removes one of Egypt’s most influential attacking threats but simultaneously offers other players a chance to step into more prominent roles.
The upcoming match against Saudi Arabia is therefore likely to serve as a testing ground for alternative attacking options, as Hassan evaluates his squad depth ahead of more demanding fixtures.
A crucial step toward world cup ambitions
While classified as a friendly, the encounter carries broader significance for Egypt’s long-term ambitions. With World Cup qualification on the horizon, matches of this nature provide valuable insights into team dynamics, player readiness, and tactical flexibility.
Supporters will be watching closely as the Pharaohs take on Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, with expectations high that the team can deliver a strong performance despite the absence of key personnel.
