Egypt coach Hector Cuper called up eleven local-based players on Tuesday for the March training camp amid preparations for the 2018 World Cup, which will kick off in Russia in June. The Pharaohs, who reached the World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years, will hold two training camps ahead of football's most prestigious tournament. The first camp for the seven-time African Champions will be held in Switzerland from 20 to 28 March. They are due to play two friendly matches against Portugal and Greece on 23 and 27 March respectively. Ahly's striker Marwan Mohsen was available in Tuesday's squad as he rejoins Egypt after more than a year since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury while on international duty at the African Cup of Nations in early 2017. Mohsen's return to action comes at a perfect time for an Egypt side that is still looking for a reliable striker as they gear up for the World Cup. Enppi's midfielder Mohamed Magdy was given his first ever call-up, while Ahly's defender Ayman Ashraf was also seleceted for the camp after their recent outstanding performances in the Egyptian Premiere League. Ahly's goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy is the prominent absentee due to his limited appearances with his club, while Ismaily's in-form goalie Mohamed Awaad was in after recovering from his recent injury. On 6 March, the Argentinean coach Cuper has called up 17 foreign-based players for the Switzerland camp. In the final training camp before the World Cup, Hector Cuper's men will first play Kuwait then Belgium. A third match is yet to be arranged. Egypt have been placed in Group A of the World Cup along with hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The full local-based players' squad: Goalkeepers: Ahmed El-Shenawi (Zamalek), Mohamed El-Shenawi (Ahly), Mohamed Awaad (Ismaily) Defenders: Ayman Ashraf (Ahly), Ahmed Fathi (Ahly), Saad Samir (Ahly) Midfielders: Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Hossam Ashour (Ahly, Mohamed Magdy (Enppi), Abdallah El-Said (Ahly) Strikers: Marawan Mohsen (Ahly)
The 17 foreign-based players announced on 6 March: Goalkeeper: Essam El-Hadary (Taawoun, Saudi) Defenders: Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa, England), Mohamed Abdel-Shafi (Al-Fateh, KSA), Ahmed Hegazy (West Bromwich, England), Ali Gabr (West Bromwich, England), Omar Gaber (Los Angeles FC, USA) Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, England), Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Sam Morsi (Wigan, England), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City, England), Huessin El-Shahaat (Al-Ain, UAE) Forwards: Shikabala (Al-Raed, Saudi Arabia), Momen Zakaria (Al-Ahli, Saudi), Mahmoud Kahraba (Ittihad Jeddah, KSA), Amr Warda (Atromitos, Greece), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England), Ahmed Koka (Sporting Braga, Portugal) (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
