Egypt's U17 Stars Head to Qatar World Cup: 21-Man Squad Announced

Squad Announcement

In a formal declaration, Egypt’s under-17 side, led by head coach Ahmed Al-Kas, revealed the final 21-player squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, scheduled from November 3 to 27, featuring a mix of emerging talents and seasoned youth prospects. The federation noted that additional players are on standby to cover unforeseen changes, ensuring a full roster ready for every challenge on the pitch.

The team’s selection was confirmed by Walid Mehdi, the national team manager, who also highlighted compliance with FIFA regulations and the inclusion of reserve options to maintain flexibility ahead of the tournament.

Final squad at a glance

Goalkeepers: Omar Abdel Aziz – Amr Adel – Mohamed Tariq.

Defenders: Hamza Al-Djoui – Nour Ashraf – Faris Fakhri – Adham Farid – Mohab Al-Shami – Yasin Hosam.

Midfielders: Omar Kamal – Omar Abu Talib – Basil Medhat – Mohamed Hamad – Bilal Atiya – Anas Rushdi – Ibrahim Al-Najaaoui – Mohamed Sabih – Mohamed Al-Bandari.

Forwards: Hamza Abdul Karim – Abdulaziz Al-Zugbi – Ziad Ayyub.

For those not in the main lineup but in contention, Amar Mohamed El-Sayed and Saif El-Jabali remain in the squad’s orbit, in line with FIFA’s rules allowing controlled substitutions before kickoff under certain conditions.

Egypt’s World Cup group

Egypt were drawn into Group 5, alongside England, Haiti, and Venezuela, a balanced mix that pits the Pharaohs’ youngsters against diverse football philosophies and styles. The group promises a competitive start with a tilt toward progression through the knockout stages if form holds.

The campaign will kick off against Haiti, followed by Venezuela, with England serving as the final group opponent—an encounter many see as a potential battle for top spot and pride.

Staff and preparation

The technical team includes Mohamed Ibrahim (general coach), Ahmed Fawzi (goalkeeping coach), Abd el-Rahman Issa (fitness coach), Salem Heneesh (performance analyst), Amr Taha (head of medical), and Mohammed Al-Shishtawi (physiotherapist).

Leading the delegation in Qatar is Walid Darwish, a board member of the Egyptian Football Association. The federation underscored that all federation resources have been mobilized to support the team’s goals.

Prior to travel, Hany Abu-Rida, president of the Egyptian Football Association, met with the squad and the full management team, stressing the importance of a commendable representation for Egypt on the world stage. The senior-team leadership, including coach Hossam Hassan, attended the session to offer encouragement to the young players.

Hossam Hassan reminded the players that they represent the future of Egyptian football and that standout performances at the World Cup could open doors at the senior level. The message was clear: fight for every ball and show the world Egypt’s footballing pedigree.

Looking ahead

Athletic optimism surrounds Ahmed Al-Kas and his group, who have prepared through a rigorous training camp and a handful of international friendlies. The aim, he says, is to deliver performances befitting Egypt’s footballing history and to push through the group stage with energy, discipline, and an eye for breakthrough moments.

Egypt’s recent trajectory includes a North Africa U-17 title and a pathway to continental competition, underscoring the country’s growing youth development program. Al-Kas himself is noted for a prolific youth career, including stints with multiple clubs and a World Cup appearance in 1990. The squad’s journey in Qatar will be a test of talent, teamwork, and the stubborn belief that the best is still ahead for the Pharaohs of tomorrow.

Past and present momentum

The national setup has encouraged a pipeline of talent, and the current group is seen as a beneficiary of that momentum. The team’s leadership highlighted that this World Cup is a learning curve—with exposure to world football standards and the opportunity to test themselves against some of the world’s strongest youth teams.

As the players prepare to depart for Doha, the sense of pride is palpable, and the jokes are in short supply—though not the ambition. And if they do stumble, the post-match press conferences will need a bigger smile to cover the growth the players have already shown. After all, if your kit is not drenched in sweat, you’re probably not chasing glory—you're just doing laundry for your dreams.