Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has announced a preliminary squad for next month's FIFA World Cup, with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah captaining the side and Manchester City's Omar Marmoush leading the attack.

The surprise omission is Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed, who struggled for form this season with only four goals in 24 matches as the French club were relegated from Ligue 1.

Uncapped teenager Hamza Abdelkarim, who plays for Barcelona's under-19 team, has been included after impressive performances. He is considered one of Egypt's most promising forward talents.

The squad will be reduced to 26 players after Egypt's final home friendly against Russia in Cairo on May 28.

Egypt will face Brazil in a friendly in Cleveland on June 6 before opening their World Cup campaign against Belgium in Seattle on June 15. They then play New Zealand in Vancouver on June 21 and Iran in Seattle on June 26.

Source: www.aljazeera.com