Egypt Coach Puts Barcelona Teen Abdelkarim in Salah’s Succession Plan

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan says Barcelona’s new signing Hamza Abdelkarim could one day succeed Mohamed Salah as the leader of the national team. The 18-year-old striker had not played an international match before his surprise call-up in May for Egypt’s World Cup squad, but his move from loan to permanent transfer to Barcelona was finalized on June 10 for 1.5 million euros.

Hassan said he sees the teenager as more than a long-term project. “We saw many things we like in Hamza, his personality, technical ability, ambition and what he wants to achieve in his career,” he said. Hassan added that Abdelkarim had already played at a level above youth football, noting his strong showing at the 2025 Under-17 World Cup and the matches he watched at Barcelona. He also said that success at one of the world’s biggest clubs could quickly help Egyptian football.

Abdelkarim joined Barcelona on loan from Al Ahly in February and scored on his debut for the club’s youth side against Huesca. He made his Egypt debut on May 28 after being included in Hassan’s squad, and the coach expects him to get minutes at the World Cup. Hassan stressed that Egypt must not depend on one star, saying, “Egypt is not only Mohamed Salah.” He also pointed to Omar Marmoush and other talents in the squad.

Egypt are trying to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history, while also planning beyond the current tournament. Hassan said 12 players in the squad are over 30, and Salah turns 34 on the day Egypt face Belgium. “The new players are the future of the squad, of the country and of Egyptian football,” he said, adding that by 2027 fans would see “a new team full of stars.” Egypt open against Belgium in Seattle today, then play New Zealand in Vancouver six days later and finish Group J against Iran in Seattle on June 26.