Meet the teenage Barcelona talent set to carry Egypt’s World Cup hopes

Few selections for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have generated as much curiosity in Egypt as the inclusion of 18-year-old Barcelona prospect Hamza Abdelkarim, a teenager yet to earn a senior international cap but already viewed as one of the country’s brightest attacking talents.

While established names were left out of Hossam Hassan’s final Pharaohs squad, the Egypt coach placed his faith in the highly rated youngster, a decision that immediately became one of the biggest talking points following the squad announcement.

Hassan, Egypt’s all-time leading scorer, is believed to see enormous long-term potential in Abdelkarim, whose rapid development since joining Barcelona from Al Ahly has caught attention both in Spain and back home in Cairo.

The teenage striker arrived in Catalonia earlier this year after impressing within Al Ahly’s youth system and attracting interest from several European clubs. Barcelona moved aggressively to secure his signature, making him the first Egyptian footballer to join the club.

Although initially expected to continue his growth within La Masia and Barcelona Atletic, Abdelkarim’s rise has accelerated quickly enough to put him on Egypt’s World Cup radar before even fully establishing himself at senior club level.

At Barcelona, club officials reportedly view him as a long-term centre-forward capable of complementing the emerging generation around Lamine Yamal, Roony Bardghji, Pedri and Fermin Lopez in the years ahead.

His performances at the Under-17 World Cup for Egypt last November significantly boosted his reputation, with scouts praising his movement, physical presence and eye for goal. Comparisons with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland have already emerged, earning Abdelkarim the nickname “The Egyptian Haaland” because of his height, pace, powerful finishing and attacking instincts.

Beyond his goalscoring ability, coaches have also highlighted his tactical intelligence and leadership qualities, attributes that helped him stand out in youth football for both club and country.

Football runs deeply within his family. His father was a respected volleyball player known for his athletic leap, while other relatives also excelled in the sport, traits that appear to have influenced Abdelkarim’s aerial strength and physical profile.

Despite making only limited senior appearances for Al Ahly before his move to Spain, some observers within Egyptian football had already argued he deserved a place in the national team setup long before this World Cup call-up.

Journalist and author Amr Nageeb Fahmy revealed he previously pushed for Abdelkarim to be included in Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations camp, believing the teenager would benefit from training alongside stars such as Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

Now, after months of growing hype around his talent, Abdelkarim heads into the World Cup carrying the expectations of a nation eager to discover whether its newest football sensation is ready for the global stage.