Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan Excludes Al Ahly Duo from 2026 World Cup Squad

Egypt national team coach Hossam Hassan has decided to exclude Al Ahly forwards Taher Mohamed Taher and Yassin Mrei from his plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to reports from Egyptian sports media outlet Al Watan Sport. The decision comes as Hassan finalizes his squad for the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The exclusion of the two Al Ahly players was reported on April 22, 2026, with Hassan citing tactical and performance-related reasons for not including them in his World Cup preparations. This move is part of the coach’s broader strategy to build a competitive squad capable of navigating the challenges of the expanded 48-team World Cup format.

Hassan, a former Egyptian international and experienced coach, has been under pressure to deliver results for the Pharaohs as they aim to qualify for and compete in their first World Cup since 1990. His recent decisions have been influenced by the congested domestic schedule, particularly the involvement of Egyptian clubs in continental competitions such as the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Al Ahly duo of Taher and Mrei have been regular contributors for their club in the Egyptian Premier League, but Hassan has opted to look elsewhere for attacking options as he shapes his World Cup vision. Taher, known for his pace and dribbling ability, and Mrei, a versatile forward, have both featured prominently for Al Ahly this season but have not secured a place in the national team coach’s plans for the global showpiece.

This development comes amid reports that Hassan delayed announcing his final World Cup squad due to the CAF Confederation Cup final involving Zamalek, which required adjustments to the domestic league schedule. The coach wanted to assess player availability and form after the continental competition before finalizing his selections.

For Al Ahly, the exclusion of these two players represents a setback in their efforts to have multiple representatives in the national team setup for major tournaments. The club, based in Cairo, has historically been a major contributor to the Egyptian national team, providing numerous players over the decades.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Hassan continues to evaluate his options, with the final squad expected to be announced in the coming months. The Pharaohs will face stiff competition in the qualification process, seeking to secure one of the limited slots available to African teams in the expanded tournament.

Fans and analysts will be watching closely to spot how Hassan’s squad selection evolves and whether other Al Ahly players might still have a chance to make the final cut for the World Cup. The coach’s decisions will be crucial in determining Egypt’s competitiveness on the global stage.

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