Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
As anticipation builds among Egyptian football fans, the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations officially gets underway in Morocco, running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Egypt’s national team begins its campaign on Monday night with a Group Stage opener against Zimbabwe, a match that marks not only the start of the tournament but also a symbolic turning point for the Pharaohs.
Head coach Hossam Hassan has announced a 28-man squad that reflects what he describes as a “change of skin” for the national team. While Egypt remains anchored by several experienced internationals, the squad also features a significant number of players preparing to make their Africa Cup of Nations debut, signaling a transitional phase aimed at building for both the present and the future.
From the squad that represented Egypt at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, 17 players have retained their places. This core includes goalkeepers Mohamed El Shenawy, Mohamed Sobhi, and Ahmed El Shenawy, alongside established names such as Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Ahmed Fathy, Hamdy Fathy, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet,” Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Mostafa Fathy, Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Mostafa Mohamed. Their presence provides continuity and leadership as Egypt navigates a demanding tournament.
However, the most striking feature of the squad is the inclusion of 11 players who will experience the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, defenders Ahmed Eid, Rami Rabia, Khaled Sobhi, Mohamed Ismail, and Hossam Abdelmageed, midfielders Mahmoud Saber and Mohamed Shehata, and attackers Ibrahim Adel, Salah Mohsen, and Osama Faisal all represent a new wave of talent entrusted with carrying Egypt’s ambitions forward.
Hassan has emphasized that integrating these players is a deliberate step rather than a forced gamble, underlining his belief that the current generation has the potential to evolve into a competitive unit capable of restoring Egypt to continental dominance. The blend of experience and youth is expected to offer tactical flexibility and renewed energy throughout the competition.
At the same time, several familiar faces from the 2023 tournament are absent from the current squad. Players such as Mohamed Abou Gabal, Ahmed Hegazy, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Ali Gabr, Ahmed Samy, Omar Kamal Abdel Wahed, Mohamed Elneny, Mahmoud Hamada, Mahmoud Abdelmonem “Kahraba,” and Ahmed Hassan Kouka will not feature in Morocco, highlighting the scale of the transition underway.
Following Monday’s clash with Zimbabwe, Egypt will face South Africa on December 26 before concluding their Group Stage campaign against Angola on December 29. With expectations always high for the most successful nation in Africa Cup of Nations history, the upcoming weeks will test whether this evolving Egyptian side can balance renewal with results on the continent’s biggest stage.
