The coaching staff of the Egyptian national team, led by Argentinian Hector Cuper, announced on Monday the final 23-player squad of the Pharaohs, selected to play in the World Cup that will kick off on 14 June. Cuper's squad included the players who proved themselves in the team's latest friendly matches, notably against Colombia, Kuwait, and Portugal. Most of the selected players have defending roles rather than being part of the forward line. Despite his shoulder injury, Liverpool's star Mohamed Salah is still the only hope for Egyptian football fans' World Cup dream. In fact, Cuper's plan always relied on Salah's stunning skills on the pitch. And now he has found himself forced to change his tactics after the "Egyptian king" will be forced to undergo three weeks of treatment, which means there is a high likelihood that he will miss Egypt's first match against Uruguay. Egypt's squad Goalkeepers: Essam El-Hadary (Al Taawoun, Saudi Arabia), Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly) Defenders: Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahly), Saad Samir (Al Ahly), Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Mahmoud "El-Winsh" Hamdy (Zamalek), Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (Al Fateh, Saudi Arabia) Ahmed Hegazi and Ali Gabr (both West Bromwich Albion, England), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa, England), Omar Gaber (Los Angeles FC, USA) Midfielders: Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mahmoud "Shikabala" Abdel Razek (Al Raed, Saudi Arabia), Abdallah Said (KuPS, Finland), Sam Morsy (Wigan Athletic, England), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, England), Mahmoud "Kahraba" Abdel Moneim (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City, England), Mahmoud "Trézéguet" Hassan (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Amr Warda (Atromitos, Greece); Forwards: Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England). Egypt's fixtures in the group stage Egypt v Uruguay – 14:00, Thursday 15 June Egypt v Russia – 20:00, Tuesday 19 June Egypt v Saudi Arabia – 16:00, Monday 25 June
