World Cup call for Wigan Athletic star

Wigan Athletic will again be represented at the World Cup after skipper Sam Morsy was named in the final 23-man Egypt squad for this summer's showpiece.
Sam MorsySam Morsy
Sam Morsy

Morsy had been keeping his fingers crossed for inclusion, having impressed during the most recent friendly against Colombia over the weekend.

And he received the good news from national coach Hector Cuper on Monday morning.

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“It feels amazing, really,” said Morsy. “It’s a dream, something I dreamed of as a kid.

“Seeing all my family in Egypt support me and how proud they have been has been amazing.

“It’s brought the country closer together and given hope after what’s been a tough few years.

“It’s been a long wait, so it’s amazing to finally give them what they’ve been waiting for.”

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Morsy is one of 12 foreign-based players in the squad, which also includes Liverpool superstar Mo Salah.

He’ll be hoping to win his fifth cap on Wednesday (June 6), in the final warm-up game against Roberto Martinez’s Belgium.

Egypt kick-off their World Cup campaign next Friday, June 15 against Uruguay, before facing hosts Russia on Tuesday, June 19 and Saudi Arabia on Monday, June 25.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Essam El-Hadary (Al Taawoun), Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly).

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Defenders: Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahly), Saad Samir (Al Ahly), Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Mohamed AbdelShafy (Al Ahli), Ahmed Hegazi (West Brom), Ali Gabr (Zamalek), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa), Omar Gaber (LAFC), Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh (Zamalek).

Midfielders: Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mahmoud Abdel-Razik Shikabala (Zamalek), Abdallah El-Said (Al Ahli), Sam Morsy (Wigan), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Mahmoud Kahraba (Zamalek), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Kasimpasa), Amr Warda (PAOK).

Forwards: Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Mo Salah (Liverpool).