Tokyo 2020

Egypt expect Mohamed Salah to play at Tokyo Olympics next year

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 30 July 2020

Egypt expect Salah to play at Tokyo Olympics

Egypt Olympic football boss Shawky Gharib reveals that he plans to "put all the pressure on Liverpool" to allow Mohamed Salah to take part in the Tokyo Games next year.

Egypt are confident that Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah will commit to representing them at next year's Olympic Games.

The rearranged tournament in Tokyo is scheduled to run throughout next summer's pre-season, meaning that Salah would miss the start of the 2021-22 campaign if he takes part.

Competing nations can choose up to three players aged 23 or over in their squad and Shawky Gharib, coach of the Egyptian Olympic team, wants Salah involved next year.

"The only and first name I put in the squad is Mohamed Salah," he is quoted as saying by The Sun. "All Egyptian players would like to have the honour to play in the Olympics but all of us wanted Salah so he will be with us.

"I'm ready to put all the pressure on Liverpool to accept his participation, and I could travel to England for that.

"I remember when I was the assistant coach of the Egyptian National Team. I travelled to Germany to meet Jurgen Klopp and convince him to let Mohamed Zidan join the team and he accepted.

"We will use Salah of course and the Egyptian Football Federation will play a role."

To further complicate matters for Liverpool, Salah is set to be called up to Egypt's senior squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022 if they qualify.

Aston Villa midfielder Trezeguet is also in line for a call up to Egypt's Olympics squad.