Al Ahly head coach Hussein Ammouta has urged the club’s Egypt internationals to prioritise their mental recovery following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, granting them a two-week break before the start of pre-season preparations.
According to Egyptian publication Youm7, Ammouta believes the players should use the period to completely disconnect from football after an intense campaign that combined domestic commitments with the demands of international competition.
The Moroccan tactician wants the squad to return refreshed and fully focused as Al Ahly prepare for another season in which they will challenge for honours on multiple fronts.
Eight Egypt internationals given extended break
The recovery period applies to eight Al Ahly players who represented Egypt at the World Cup: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Marwan Attia, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hany, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Emam Ashour and Ahmed Sayed Zizo.
The club’s medical staff reportedly recommended the break, believing it will help the players recover mentally after months of sustained pressure, including a demanding domestic season followed by Egypt’s World Cup campaign.
Ammouta targets fresh start to new season
Ammouta is keen for his World Cup contingent to regain both their physical freshness and mental sharpness before reporting back for pre-season training.
The former Morocco coach is assembling a squad capable of competing across domestic and continental competitions and believes effective player management will be essential to achieving those ambitions.
The decision reflects the growing emphasis clubs place on balancing physical conditioning with mental well-being, particularly for players who shoulder heavy workloads for both club and country throughout the season.
