Hamza Abdelkarim has become the first footballer called up for a World Cup without having debuted with either the first team or the reserve team of the club to which he belongs. The 18-year-old forward, currently with FC Barcelona’s Juvenil A, represents a departure from the traditional trajectory of professional football development.
The meteoric rise of an Egyptian prospect
Abdelkarim’s journey began far from the professional academies of Europe. Born in Cairo, part of his childhood was spent in Malaysia, where his father worked at a football academy. It was in Malaysia that Abdelkarim first kicked a ball, with academy director Chris Nathan noting the youngster’s competitiveness and commitment to training sessions. This athletic background was inherited; his father and two of his aunts were volleyball players, embedding a culture of sports within his family.
Upon returning to Egypt in 2020, Abdelkarim successfully navigated the trials to enter the youth ranks of Al Ahly, the most powerful club on the African continent. Observers within the club’s youth system frequently cited his mental maturity and professional disposition as standout traits, noting a temperament that remained composed.
Integration into FC Barcelona
The forward’s profile rose significantly during the U-17 World Cup last November, where his performances drew interest from several European clubs. FC Barcelona eventually secured his signature, though administrative hurdles delayed his official registration. Once cleared to play, he joined the club’s Juvenil A team. His transition proved efficient: he recorded six goals in eleven appearances, a return that prompted the club to exercise an option to purchase and convert the initial bet into a future project.
Abdelkarim’s situation is unusual. While many teenagers are integrated into other tiers before receiving national team consideration, Abdelkarim has played only with the youth team. His call-up to the Egypt senior squad for the World Cup marks a milestone, as he enters the tournament without having debuted with the first team or the reserve side of his club.
Mentorship under Mohamed Salah
The transition to the international stage has been facilitated by the presence of Egypt’s captain, Mohamed Salah. Salah has taken a role as a godfather, going as far as to request that Abdelkarim share a room with him during the World Cup concentration and giving him a shirt as a welcome. This relationship serves as a bridge for the teenager, who has expressed his admiration for Salah.
For Abdelkarim, the World Cup represents a surreal progression. Eight years ago, during the 2018 tournament in Russia, he was a ten-year-old watching the matches from Malaysia. Now, he finds himself in the same locker room as the players he once watched as a fan. This experience is compounded by the prospect of facing Argentina, a match that offers him a chance to face Lionel Messi—a player he dreams of following in the footsteps of while wearing the Barcelona colors.
What comes next for Abdelkarim
The immediate future for the forward remains focused on the ongoing World Cup tournament. Following the conclusion of international duties, the focus will shift back to Spain, where he is expected to continue his development with Barcelona’s youth categories. With his registration issues resolved and his club option exercised, the next step in his career remains to be seen.
The footballing world will monitor his progress closely, as his development serves as a unique case study in how elite clubs and national federations identify and fast-track talent in the current global landscape. Updates regarding his club status and potential professional debut in Spain are expected to follow the conclusion of the international break.
