The Egyptian national football team have launched their closed camp, including several talented foreign-based players, in preparation for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced on Monday. "The national team will start their only training session in Egypt at Cairo stadium on Monday before flying to Switzerland on Tuesday by private jet to launch the preparatory camp," the EFA revealed in a media statement. "The Egypt national team's preparatory camp will continue until 28 March, with the team playing two friendlies against Portugal on 23 March and Greece on 27 of the same month." On 6 March, Argentinean coach Hector Cuper called up 17 foreign-based players for the Switzerland camp, before calling up 11 local-based players for the same camp, ahead of the World Cup in June. Egypt have been placed in Group A of the competition along with hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The Pharaohs' 28-man squad for Switzerland camp: Goalkeepers: Ahmed El-Shenawi (Zamalek), Mohamed El-Shenawi (Ahly), Mohamed Awaad (Ismaily), Essam El-Hadary (Taawoun, Saudi Arabia) Defenders: Ayman Ashraf (Ahly), Ahmed Fathi (Ahly), Saad Samir (Ahly), 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: Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Hossam Ashour (Ahly), Mohamed Magdy (Enppi), Abdallah El-Said (Ahly), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, England), Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Sam Morsi (Wigan, England), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City, England), Huessin El-Shahaat (Al-Ain, UAE). Strikers: Marawan Mohsen (Ahly), 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.)
