Doha, Qatar: Following a breakout performance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, 18-year-old Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim is set to make his debut at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Taking place from June 11 to July 19 across the USA, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 edition marks the historic participation of eight Arab nations, including Qatar, Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia.
Abdelkarim features as a centre-forward in Egypt’s final 26-player squad,alongside talismanic captain and global star Mohamed Salah, bringing together two generations of Egyptian football.The Pharaohs have been drawn in Group Galongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand, with their opening match against Belgium scheduled for 15 June, 10pm Doha time,at Lumen Field in Seattle, USA.
The young player’s remarkable ascent to the senior level began with a standout showing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, proving to be a pivotal turning point in his international career.
In an exclusive interview with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Local Organising Committee, Abdelkarim said: “Playing at the U-17 World Cup in Qatar was an unforgettable experience for me. It was the first time I truly felt the global stage. The intensity, the pressure, and the pride of representing my country all came together in a way that pushed me to grow as a player.”
His decisive goal scoring at the youth tournament drew attention from leading European scouts, eventually leading to a move from Al Ahly to FC Barcelona.
After joining the Spanish side, Abdelkarim made an immediate impact with a hat-trick for their youth team that sealed the side’s Divisió d’ Honor Group 3 title.
“Joining FC Barcelona was a dream come true, and the U-17 World Cup in Qatar played an important role in my move. It gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of top clubs around the world, and it helped me prove that I could perform under pressure. Competing against some of the best young talents in the world gave me confidence,” he explained.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 made history as the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, welcoming 1,008 young players to showcase their talent across 104 matches.
Hosted entirely across eight pitches of the Aspire Zone Competition Complex, the tournament’s centralised hosting concept formed the cornerstone of the scouting experience.
A total of 130 scouts from leading football clubs around the world attended the event, allowing them to observe talents from a single venue.
