Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim and Canadian teen Ibrahim Elsherif feature in Vancouver World Cup matches

In Vancouver, Canada, the 2026 FIFA World Cup saw Egypt’s national team play its Group G fixtures. 18‑year‑old striker Hamza Abdelkarim became the youngest Egyptian ever to appear in a World Cup, coming on as a substitute for Mohamed Salah in the 76th minute of the opening match against Belgium and later speaking to the media about the team's performance.

At the same tournament, 13‑year‑old Canadian Ibrahim Elsherif, chosen through a national contest, presented the official match ball for Egypt’s game against New Zealand. He is one of seven youths selected across Canada to perform the ball‑presentation duty, a role that highlights the involvement of young fans and the broader impact of hosting World Cup matches on Canadian soccer development.