Australia could challenge Egypt for the international allegiance of Brighton youngster Younes Ibrahim after Egyptian Under-20 coach Wael Riad revealed that the Australian national team had made contact with the highly rated teenager.
Riad disclosed the development while discussing his efforts to persuade dual-nationality players to represent Egypt, raising fresh questions about the 18-year-old’s international future.
The revelation comes after Ibrahim made his first official appearance for Brighton’s first team, providing an assist in their 4-0 victory over Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris in the Europa Conference League.
The youngster’s performance has drawn attention to his progress at the English club, where his ability to operate as an attacking midfielder or on either wing has helped him attract the attention of the first-team coaching staff.
However, Egypt’s hopes of securing his services could face competition from Australia, the country where he was born.
Wael Riad reveals talks with Brighton youngster
Speaking on Egyptian television channel On Sport, Riad explained that he had been contacting several players eligible to represent more than one country as part of efforts to strengthen Egypt’s youth teams.
The coach said he had spoken to Ibrahim through a video call, with the player’s agent also present. According to Riad, the discussions initially resulted in an agreement for the Brighton youngster to join Egypt’s Under-20 national team.
However, the situation reportedly took an unexpected turn when Ibrahim did not immediately respond positively to the proposed call-up.
Riad said the player subsequently informed him that Australia had also been in contact with him, introducing uncertainty into Egypt’s efforts to bring him into the national-team setup.
The Egyptian coach stressed the importance of maintaining close contact with young players who are eligible to represent different countries, particularly as national associations compete to recruit promising talents.
Riad also revealed that he had been communicating with other players with dual-nationality backgrounds as part of his recruitment efforts.
Those included Mohamed El-Bay, a right-back with Club Brugge’s youth team, and Omar Abdel-Magid, a former Hamburg player.
The coach’s comments underline Egypt’s efforts to identify young players developing outside the country and persuade them to represent the Pharaohs at international level.
Can Australia convince Younes Ibrahim?
Ibrahim’s birthplace could give Australia a route to pursuing his international services, while his Egyptian father provides a connection to the North African country.
Born in Australia, the Brighton youngster is potentially eligible to represent both nations, subject to the applicable FIFA eligibility regulations.
For Egypt, however, securing his commitment involves more than reaching an understanding with the player. The process also requires the completion of administrative procedures, including obtaining an Egyptian passport, alongside the technical decision to call him up.
Sources within the Egyptian national team had previously indicated that these requirements remained relevant to the prospect of Ibrahim joining the Pharaohs.
Despite Riad’s revelation about Australia’s contact with the teenager, Ibrahim has not been officially called up by the Australian national team at either youth or senior level.
Consequently, there is no confirmed international decision from the Brighton player, and his long-term allegiance remains unresolved.
Brighton progress adds to interest in Ibrahim
Ibrahim’s recent involvement with Brighton’s first team has added to the attention surrounding his development.
The 18-year-old contributed an assist during the 4-0 win over Kauno Zalgiris, marking his first official appearance for the senior side.
His ability to play in attacking midfield and across the wings offers flexibility, a quality that has helped him come to the attention of Brighton’s coaching staff.
His progress also makes the question of his international future increasingly important for Egypt, which is seeking to bring promising young players into its national-team system.
For now, Australia have not formalised their reported interest with an international call-up, while Egypt continue to pursue the possibility of securing Ibrahim’s commitment.
The coming developments in the discussions could determine whether the teenager eventually represents the country of his birth or chooses to play for Egypt through his family connection
