Mohamed Abdelmonem

Mohamed Abdelmonem is a centre-back confirmed in Egypt's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named after the final list was announced on 30 May. The Egypt defender is 27 and plays his club football for OGC Nice in France, having won titles with Al Ahly before moving abroad in 2024. He has 35 caps and three international goals, and is listed in the defender group.

The tournament will be his first senior World Cup, and if he gets onto the pitch it would also be his World Cup debut. 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 and set up in a 4-3-3 built on conservative organisation, and Abdelmonem is a regular in that back line.

Abdelmonem is a composed central defender, comfortable on the ball and able to bring it out from the back. That ease in possession suits an organised Egypt side that defends as a unit, and he is a regular in Egypt's back line.

His three international goals show he can contribute at the other end to go with his defensive work. After years winning titles with Al Ahly, he took the step to club football in France, which adds to his experience heading into the tournament.

A composed centre-back with 35 Egypt caps, Abdelmonem's Goal Rush relevance starts with defensive steadiness. He is comfortable carrying the ball out from the back, has three international goals, and belongs to an Egypt defence tied to conservative organisation.

At £10m, Egypt land in Tier 4 within the game's £200m card budget, with Group G placing them alongside Belgium, Iran and New Zealand. For a lower-tier team pick, Abdelmonem's contribution is straightforward: defensive organisation first, ball-carrying second, and an occasional scoring record from defence.