Egypt reiterate desire to name Mohamed Salah in final Olympics squad

Egypt reiterate their desire to name Mo Salah in squad for the Olympics this summer, with Liverpool star in danger of missing the start of the new Premier League season

  • Egypt included Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in their provisional Olympics squad 
  • The delayed Games take place in Tokyo between 23 July and 8 August  
  • Salah would miss pre-season and risk missing his club’s Premier League opener 
  • But under-23 coach Shawky Gharib insists Salah did not refuse Egypt’s offer

Egypt have once again declared they want Mohamed Salah to form part of their final squad for the Olympic Games this summer.

The Tokyo Games run from 23 July – 8 August, and with each nation allowed three players over 23 years old, Salah could yet feature. 

The 28-year-old would miss Liverpool’s pre-season and risk not featuring for the first game of the new Premier League campaign depending on his country’s progression.

Egypt have declared they want Mohamed Salah to form part of their final Olympics squad

Egypt Under-23 coach Shawky Gharib named Salah in his provisional squad for the Games

But Salah was named in Egypt’s provisional squad for the tournament this summer by under-23 coach Shawky Gharib.

And now he has reiterated their desire for Salah to turn out for his country in Japan in their bid to win a first Olympic medal in the sport, and added the player did not ‘refuse’ the offer.

‘I have made it known publicly that I would like to have him with us during our Olympic campaign and he did not refuse, which means he also wants to play with us,’ Gharib said, as reported by French outlet L’Equipe.

‘Salah’s participation in the Olympics is supported by the state, represented by the Ministry of Sports and the Egyptian Football Federation, in our joint effort to bring home an Olympic football medal for the first time.’

Jurgen Klopp wants to look at Egypt’s preparation programme before making a decision

The new English top-flight campaign will begin on 14 August, a week after it was initially set, with it pushed back by a week amid fears of burnout given both the Euros and Olympic Games this summer.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has previously stated he would want a close look at Egypt’s preparation programme before making a decision on whether Salah could play.

Gharib meanwhile has previously admitted Salah would not play in Tokyo unless there was an agreement between the player, Liverpool and Egypt.

‘I included 10 over-age players in the preliminary squad to choose from them in the final list,’ Gharib said, as reported by Egyptian outlet Al-Ahram.

Salah would miss pre-season and would risk missing Liverpool’s Premier League opener too

‘It is not only up to us to decide Salah’s situation in joining the Olympic team as we just called him and are waiting for his decision along with his club.

‘There should be an agreement between all parties.’

Egypt booked their place at the delayed Games after winning the Under-23 Nations Cup on home soil in 2019.




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