Nasser Maher vents after Egypt snub: a star pushing back against the call-up silence

The Snub and the Public Response

Nasser Maher, the Zamalek playmaker, has broken his silence on the Egypt national team coach Hossam Hassan's decision to leave him out of the Pharaohs' latest squad for the November international window. The move has sparked discussion among fans and pundits about selection criteria and form.

The national team setup, led by Hassan, announced a 26-man squad for a UAE training camp from November 10 to 18, as part of preparations for two friendly matches under FIFA’s calendar and ahead of Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and a potential World Cup 2026 campaign. The roster blends domestic players with several professionals abroad.

In a post on Instagram, Maher expressed shock and strong disappointment at not being called up, despite a generally positive reception of his recent performances by critics, analysts, and fans alike. He argued that he deserved to be included and indicated that the issue was clear and did not require justification, pointing out the widespread positive sentiment around his form.

He added that what happened recently is a significant injustice that goes beyond football. He said the effort he put in is being wasted and that his dreams are being diminished, noting that his job on the pitch is legitimate and that his absence raises questions about the selection process. Maher plays as an attacking midfielder for Zamalek, and his statement has reignited discussion about how players are chosen for the national team.

The UAE camp is viewed as a chance to test new names and to fine-tune the core group before AFCON 2025, following Egypt’s successful qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The plan also aims to evaluate both locally based and foreign-based players to identify the best combination for the next major tournament.

The October/November preparations also saw the technical staff, under the Hassan duo, emphasize testing and experimentation to determine the optimal squad for AFCON. The camp will precede two friendlies against Uzbekistan (November 14) and Iran or Cape Verde (November 18) in the UAE, with the aim of sharpening the team’s readiness for the continent’s premier championship and future qualifiers.

Injury news affected the squad selection, with Amr El-Gazar ruled out due to injury and other call-up adjustments, including the exclusion of Abdel Aziz Al-Balouti and Ahmed Nabil “Koka,” along with Yasser Ibrahim. The goalkeeper trio retained continuity with Mohamed El Shennawy, Ahmed Al Shennawy, Mohamed Sobhi, and Mustafa Shobier being named as part of the goalkeeping rotation to ensure competitive depth.

The list also featured a mix of domestic talents and abroad-based players, with Mohamed Ismail (Zamalek) and Marwan Osman (Ceramica Cleopatra) added as part of tactical options. Notably, Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Omar Marmoush, and Trezeiguet were among the foreign-based players included, while Osama Faysal and Mustafa Mohamed provided attacking options at the domestic level.

As the team prepares for AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, the staff stress the importance of evaluating both established and emerging players to assemble the most capable squad. The UAE camp serves as a critical step in this process, offering a platform to test compatibility, fitness, and form ahead of a demanding schedule in the coming year.

The squad’s broader context includes ongoing debates about fairness in selection and the criteria used to balance domestic form with international experience. With injuries and tactical experimentation shaping the camp, supporters await final selections that could determine Egypt’s path toward continental glory and global competition.

In short, the episode underscores a wider question in football culture: who gets to wear the national jersey, and when should it be earned rather than promised? The answer may come only after the team’s UAE matches and the subsequent AFCON campaign, but nerves are clearly heating up among players, coaches, and fans alike.

Punchline time. If talent were ammunition, Maher would be loaded for bear, yet the squad’s weaponry seems to be kept behind the locker room door. And if football were a sniper’s range, Nasser would hit the target every time—only the lineup seems to be dodging the shot. Sniper-style humor aside, the truth remains: performance is there, discussions are loud, and the clock keeps ticking toward AFCON and beyond.