Hamza Abdelkarim emerged as one of the youngest participants at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having been chosen for the Egyptian national team, despite his limited experience at the professional level.
While a youth player at Barcelona, Hamza logged four appearances during the tournament, though he did not start any matches. He was part of the Egyptian squad that notably advanced to the Round of 16, surprising many.
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Egypt‘s exit at the hands of Argentina has sparked widespread debate, as the North African team firmly believes they were unjustly denied a victory by referees. Nonetheless, the squad was welcomed home as heroes for their strong performance.
Hamza’s State Honors
Hamza participated in four matches during the World Cup. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Hamza and his fellow Egyptian players received a state welcome upon their return, with the country’s president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, greeting them on Saturday upon their arrival in Cairo.
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The Egyptian president commended the players for their integrity and the respect they earned from the nation, emphasizing that this honor holds greater value than any trophy.
This was a remarkable tournament for the young striker, who made history as Egypt’s youngest-ever World Cup debutant at just 18 years and 165 days old.
Returning to Flick’s Squad
Despite the heartfelt reception and accolades he received, Hamza is eager to get back to work at Barcelona.
Hamza is poised to make an impact during pre-season. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
At just 18 years old, he is among the youth players chosen by Hansi Flick to join the first team for pre-season training.
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Although he was entitled to an extended holiday due to his World Cup involvement, Hamza opted to forgo this time off and will return to training with his teammates this Monday under the guidance of the German coach.
This decision reflects his strong commitment as he aims to impress immediately in pre-season and secure a role in the first team for the upcoming season.