Hamza Abdel Karim, the Egyptian national team striker, flew with Barcelona's first team to England to take part in the preparation camp for the new season.
Hamza's name was included among 30 players in the list announced by Hans Flick, Barcelona's technical director, which includes some first-team stars and a group of reserve and youth team players.
Abdel Karim had joined Barcelona's camp in Spain on its first day and preferred not to take a vacation after participating in the World Cup with the Pharaohs.
The Egyptian international started in the team's first friendly match in preparation for the new season, which was against Europa, a third-division side, on Friday.
Hamza Abdel Karim is expected to play with Barcelona's reserve team next season, but his chances of appearing with the first team are not slim.
International players who participated in the World Cup are scheduled to return to the team gradually.
Barcelona's preparatory program for the new season is as follows:
- From July 27 to August 3: Training camp in England.
- July 31: Friendly match against Birmingham City.
- August 8: Two friendly matches against Udinese and Nottingham Forest.
- August 19: Match against Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Cup.
Hamza Abdel Karim, the Barcelona player, decided not to take any rest period after his stint with the Egyptian national team at the 2026 World Cup.
The young striker traveled to Spain to join Barcelona's camp directly in preparation for the new season, refusing to take a vacation after participating with Egypt in the World Cup.
Hamza Abdel Karim's decision comes amid his desire to be present from the first day of the preparation period in order to prepare in the best possible way for the new season with the Catalan club.
Flick decided to rely on Hamza Abdel Karim and some of the youngsters to support the first team during the team's preparation period for the new 2026-2027 season.
Hamza's participation with the Egyptian national team at the 2026 World Cup increased his stock within Barcelona, after featuring in 4 matches during the tournament.
Barcelona decided to activate the player's purchase clause from Al Ahly for 1.5 million euros after a six-month loan period.
Abdel Karim scored 6 goals in 11 matches with the youth team in the second half of last season, which prompted the club to insist on signing him permanently.
