Egypt’s Arab Cup Squad Gets an Emergency Shake-Up: Shalaby Out, Massad In
24 November 2025
Last-minute changes to Egypt’s Arab Cup squad
The Egyptian national team, preparing for the Arab Cup, announced a late adjustment to its final roster. Winger Mostafa Shalaby of Bank Al Ahly has been ruled out due to injury, and winger Mohamed Massad of Modern Sport has been called up as his replacement. Islam Samir has also been added to the reserves to cover any unexpected needs during the tournament.
Preparation, health first, and squad depth
Shalaby’s exclusion followed a series of medical evaluations over the past hours, which confirmed he would not be fit to join the tournament in Doha from December 1 to 18. The medical team stated that he requires a longer rehabilitation period, and the coaching staff acted quickly to appoint the best available alternative.
Head coach Halim Toulan expressed regret over Shalaby’s absence but underscored that player health comes first. He noted that the team has capable substitutes who can add value, and Massad’s inclusion is based on a thorough assessment of his recent form with Modern Sport.
Islam Samir’s addition to the standby list reflects the team’s need for flexibility, as he can operate in multiple attacking roles and provide additional options should circumstances demand it.
Opening the camp for preparation
The national team camp begins tomorrow at the National Teams Center in Six of October City, a facility praised for its modern equipment, top-tier pitches, and advanced medical services, all contributing to a conducive training environment.
Several key players from Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Al Masry will miss the initial gatherings due to ongoing commitments in continental competitions, with plans for their return to the Doha camp after those matches conclude.
Toulan voiced full confidence in the 23-man squad, stressing that selection followed a comprehensive review of players’ performances in camps, friendlies, and official matches. He also highlighted the group’s youthful energy and the coaching staff’s ongoing effort to build team-wide cohesion.
He thanked players who participated in previous camps but were not included in the final list, affirming that they delivered strong performances and that the door to the national team remains open to all based on future form.
Egypt’s Arab Cup squad (selected players)
Goalkeepers: Ali Lotfi, Mohamed Awad, Mohamed Bassam. Defenders: Hadi Riyad, Mahmoud Hamdi El-Wenesh, Yassin Mar’i, Ragab Nabil, Ahmed Hani, Kareem Al-Iraqi, Yahya Zakaria, Kareem Fouad. Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny, Amr El-Sulaya, Akram Tawfik, Gnam Mohamed, Mohamed Magdy Qafsha, Islam Issa, Mohamed Massad, Mostafa Saad Messi, Mido Gaber. Forwards: Mohamed Shreef, Hossein Hassan, Ahmad Atif.
Team officials and the national setup expect the 23-man squad to deliver positive results as they head into a group that includes Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, plus the playoff winner from Kuwait and Mauritania, with the action set to unfold in Doha.
