Emam Ashour

Emam Ashour is a central midfielder confirmed in Egypt's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named after the final list was announced on 30 May. The Al Ahly midfielder is 28 and has become one of the leading performers in the Egyptian league, with 28 caps for Egypt. He is listed in the midfield group for the tournament.

If selected to play, this would be his first senior World Cup. Egypt were drawn in Group G with Belgium, Iran and New Zealand, opening against Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle on 15 June. Hossam Hassan's side won CAF Group A to qualify, conceding only twice, and set up in a 4-3-3, with Ashour an option in the middle of the park.

Ashour is a creative central midfielder with an eye for a pass and a knack for arriving in the box. He likes to get on the ball and make things happen in the final third, the kind of midfielder who links play and offers a goal contribution from deeper areas.

Years as one of the Egyptian league's leading performers with Al Ahly have sharpened that game. In a 4-3-3, his ability to create and to arrive late gives Hossam Hassan an attacking option from midfield.

Ashour is a creative midfielder who arrives in the box, the kind of player who makes things happen in the final third for a budget side once the tournament opens. His late runs into the box give Egypt another way to create danger from midfield.

At £10m, Egypt sit in Tier 4 within the game's £200m card budget, and a Group G test lies ahead. Ashour's value is creativity and arrival in the box from central midfield.