Egypt’s Arab Cup Hopes Struck by Solia Injury: Toulan Rebuilds with Fresh Call-Ups
12 November 2025
Injury Hits Egypt Ahead of the Arab Cup
Helmi Toulan, head coach of Egypt’s second national team, received bad news before the Arab Cup as Amr Solia, a midfield standout from Ceramica Cleopatra, was ruled out of the squad following an injury diagnosed on Wednesday. Solia reported a muscle issue during a training session at Cairo Stadium, and Toulan promptly removed him from the squad to allow him to undergo an injury rehab program at his club.
Solia’s absence could threaten Egypt’s participation in the tournament given the tight schedule and a string of other absences and injuries surrounding the team.
New Call-Ups and Tournament Prep
Egypt’s second team is gearing up for the tournament, which runs in Qatar from December 1 to 18, with 16 teams. Egypt is in Group C alongside the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, plus the winner of Kuwait versus Mauritania. Toulan had hoped Solia would provide leadership in the midfield, given his impressive form this season with Ceramica Cleopatra.
New absences have also shaped the camp: Mustafa Shalaby and Ahmed Sami were left out due to injuries. The decision from Pyramids FC not to release players for the November camp due to scheduling conflicts and the league’s reluctance to postpone further games has reduced options for Toulan.
Additionally, four players from Pyramids—Ahmed Sami, Marwan Hamdi, Ahmed Atef “Cat,” and Mahmoud Gad—were excluded from the camp as part of this adjustment. Egypt’s second team will play two friendlies against Algeria’s local side on Friday and Monday at Cairo Stadium as part of the buildup.
The preparations have included recent results: a October camp in which Egypt lost 2-0 to Morocco’s locals, and a win over Bahrain’s first team with a 4-0 scoreline. Mido Gaber and Hussein Shahat were among players missing due to injuries.
Toulan then called up two new players, Mohamed Adel from Ceramica Cleopatra and Islam Samir from Al-Ittihad Alexandria, following a careful review of domestic performances over the past weeks. He noted that both players showed physical and technical readiness and could be strong additions as the squad undergoes a broader renewal ahead of regional and continental competition.
Earlier, Toulan had also summoned Karim Debis and Rejab Nabil from Ceramica Cleopatra, along with Hossam Hassan of Modern Sporting, as part of the ongoing effort to inject youth and depth into the squad. The aim is to assemble a balanced group before the final squad for the Arab Cup is announced.
The current camp features notable names such as Mohamed Elneny, the former Arsenal midfielder now with Al Jazira, and Afsha and Karim Fouad from Al Ahly, plus Mahmoud Hamdi “El Yonsh” of Zamalek. Egypt’s second team will compete in the Arab Cup in December in Qatar, while the first team focuses on preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco late December to January.
The federation has entrusted the leadership of the second team to Helmi Toulan, with Ahmed Hassan serving as team manager. The rest of the staff includes Dr. Mamdouh Al-Mohamadi as general coach and Essam Al-Hadary as goalkeeper coach. The camp’s atmosphere remains focused and ambitious as players push to secure a place in the final Arab Cup squad.
In 2021, Egypt finished fourth in the Arab Cup under Carlos Queiroz, and the 2023 edition in Qatar presents a chance to test local talents and introduce fresh faces on the international stage, particularly with many professionals away for European and Gulf club commitments. The tournament is scheduled for December 1-18 in Qatar with 16 participating teams.
Pushed by these adjustments, Egypt’s setup aims to balance experimentation with results as it navigates a crowded calendar and a demanding continental and regional schedule.
Punchline 1: If Solia’s injury proves to be a sniper, at least the sniper aimed for the right target—the calendar’s timing, not the man’s leg. Punchline 2: With two fresh call-ups, Toulan’s depth chart just got a little deeper—and the medical staff just got more overtime receipts to claim.
