# Al Ahly 2026–27 season and squad transitions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/al-ahly-202627-season-preparations > Updated: 2026-09-11T20:46:24.000Z. Sources: 72. Developments: 20. Al Ahly has officially commenced its 2026–27 Egyptian Premier League campaign with a match against ENPPI SC at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, August 23. The fixture marks the competitive debut of Moroccan manager Hussein Ammouta. Leading up to the season, the club held a training camp in Spain, participating in friendlies against Badalona and Europa. A major highlight was the 61st Joan Gamper Trophy at Spotify Camp Nou on August 19, where Al Ahly became the first Egyptian and African club to compete in the tournament. Al Ahly lost the match 2-1 to FC Barcelona, with Zizo scoring the lone goal for the Egyptian side. The summer transfer window saw significant roster restructuring. Notable departures included Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet to Al Riyadh and Alieu Diang to Valencia. The club finalized its squad with five registered foreign players: Moncef Baccar, Sofiane Bendjedid, Achraf Bencharki, Reda Slim, and Achraf Dari, while also integrating academy talents like Mohamed Raafat and Ahmed Khaled Kabaka. Management has faced challenges, including a defensive crisis following a long-term ACL injury to Moroccan defender Youssef Belamari. To address rising injury rates, Vice President Yassin Mansour has proposed hiring a foreign doctor to lead the first team’s medical staff, following similar ACL injuries to Amr El Gazar. As the season progresses, the club is focused on long-term stability through contract renewals. While management is working to extend deals for Mohamed Raafat, Ahmed Khaled ‘Kabbaka’, and Yasser Ibrahim—who was previously kept from a move to Al Shabab—negotiations with Mohamed Hany have encountered friction. Hany has reportedly requested the removal of a participation clause, citing a lack of parity with newer signings. Throughout these processes, the club maintains a strict salary structure. ## Claims - A sports‑marketing firm is monitoring goalkeeper Mustapha Shobier for interest from Spanish clubs Atlético Madrid, Valencia and Getafe. (disputed) - Al Ahly has not received any official transfer offers for Mustapha Shobier. (disputed) - Barcelona will face Al Ahly in the 2026 Joan Gamper Trophy. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The match will be held at Spotify Camp Nou. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Al Ahly will hold a pre‑season camp in Spain from 6 August to 20 August 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The match will be broadcast live on ON Sport Plus and TV3. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Al Ahly recorded a 5‑1 win over Al‑Nasr and a 7‑1 win over Laviana in pre‑season friendlies. (single source) - Naming‑rights for Al Ahly’s new stadium were sold to Vodafone, providing revenue estimated at about 40 % of construction costs. (single source) - The new stadium will feature smart services, VIP amenities and stadium‑wide Wi‑Fi. (single source) - Al Ahly reopened membership enrolments until 31 December 2026 at the previous price. (single source) - Al Ahly is the first Egyptian club and the first African team to compete in the Joan Gamper Trophy. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Al Ahly SC manages contract negotiations and medical staff proposals Al Ahly SC faces internal developments as player Mohamed Hany seeks contract clause changes and Vice President Yassin Mansour proposes hiring a foreign doctor to address rising player injuries. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-manages-contract-negotiations-and-medical-staff-proposals ### 2026-09-04: Al Ahly SC moves to renew contracts for several key players Al Ahly SC is pursuing contract renewals for key players including Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, and Mohamed Raafat to maintain squad stability and financial structure. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-moves-to-renew-contracts-for-several-key-players ### 2026-08-22: Al Ahly SC manages key player contract negotiations Al Ahly SC is navigating multiple contract negotiations involving key players Emam Ashour, Marwan Attia, and Reda Slim to ensure squad stability for the upcoming season. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-moves-to-renew-key-player-contracts ### 2026-08-20: Al Ahly to face Eastern Company ENPPI in Egyptian Premier League opener Al Ahly prepares to open the 2026-27 Egyptian Premier League season against Eastern Company ENPPI, facing the absence of midfielder Emam Ashour due to fitness concerns. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-prepares-for-league-opener-against-enppi-amid-squad-updates ### 2026-08-20: FC Barcelona wins Joan Gamper Trophy amid mixed reception FC Barcelona won the Joan Gamper Trophy 2-1 against Al Ahly, featuring a star presentation for Rodri amidst boos for Frenkie de Jong. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fc-barcelona-wins-joan-gamper-trophy-amid-mixed-reception ### 2026-08-18: FC Barcelona wins Joan Gamper Trophy against Al Ahly FC Barcelona defeated Al Ahly 2-1 to win the Joan Gamper Trophy at Spotify Camp Nou, featuring goals from Hamza Abdelkarim and Raphinha. 63 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barcelona-to-host-al-ahly-in-2026-joan-gamper-trophy ### 2026-08-17: Al Ahly SC seeks to transfer Reda Slim and manage squad changes Al Ahly SC is seeking to market Moroccan winger Reda Slim to clubs in Morocco to free up a foreign player slot, while Omar Kamal nears a move to Al Mokawloon Al Arab following contract termination. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-seeks-to-transfer-reda-slim-and-manage-squad-changes ### 2026-08-16: Al Ahly to face FC Barcelona in Joan Gamper Trophy Al Ahly will face FC Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 19 at Spotify Camp Nou, marking the final match of the Egyptian club's Spanish training camp. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-to-face-fc-barcelona-in-joan-gamper-trophy ### 2026-08-15: Al Ahly SC finalizes 2026-2027 squad after transfer window Al Ahly SC has announced its 2026-2027 squad, featuring five foreign players and several youth prospects, following a period of roster restructuring and key player departures. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-finalizes-2026-2027-squad-after-transfer-window ### 2026-08-14: Al Ahly SC manages transfer moves amid injury and player departures Al Ahly SC is managing the potential departure of Reda Slim amid transfer negotiations and searching for a new left-back following a long-term ACL injury to defender Youssef Belamari. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-manages-transfer-moves-amid-injury-and-player-departures ### 2026-08-13: Al Ahly prepares in Spain for Joan Gamper Trophy match against Barcelona Al Ahly SC is training in Spain ahead of a high-profile friendly against FC Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy at Camp Nou. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-football-team-faces-europa-in-spanish-friendly ### 2026-08-10: Al Ahly SC continues Spain training camp and transfer activity Al Ahly SC is conducting pre-season training in Spain ahead of a friendly against Badalona, while also nearing a deal to sign Mahmoud Salah from Ghazl El Mahalla. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-continues-spain-training-camp-and-transfer-activity ### 2026-08-09: Al Ahly SC blocks player transfers to ensure squad stability Al Ahly SC has blocked player departures to ensure squad stability for the new season while preparing in Spain with friendly matches and intensive training. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-blocks-player-transfers-to-ensure-squad-stability ### 2026-08-09: Al Ahly SC manages player contract renewals and transfer strategy Ahmed Shobier reports that Al Ahly SC is nearing a contract renewal with Emam Ashour and aims to retain core players despite financial negotiations and interest from other clubs. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-sc-manages-player-contract-renewals-and-transfer-strategy ### 2026-07-28: Al Ahly launches Spanish pre‑season camp, friendly against Barcelona and goalkeeper market push Al Ahly’s pre‑season includes a Spanish camp with friendlies, a Barcelona match in the Joan Gamper Cup, a market push for keeper Mustapha Shobier, and progress on its Vodafone‑named stadium and membership drive 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-finalises-squad-and-contracts-ahead-of-spain-preseason-camp ### 2026-07-22: Egyptian football clubs kick off pre‑season camps ahead of new season Al Masry begins its third‑phase pre‑season camp in Ismailia, while Al Ahly will play a friendly versus Al‑Nasr in Qatar on 23 July, followed by another match against Laviena. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/egyptian-football-clubs-kick-off-preseason-camps-ahead-of-new-season ### 2026-07-18: Al Ahly Schedules Return of International Players and Pre‑season Friendlies Ahead of 2026/27 Season Al Ahly detailed the return dates for its World Cup‑participating players and outlined two pre‑season friendlies on 23 July and 30 July as it prepares for the 2026‑27 season. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-schedules-return-of-international-players-and-preseason-friendlies-ahead-of-202627-season ### 2026-07-11: Al Ahly opens new Mansoura branch and readies Spain pre‑season camp Al Ahly opened a new sports branch in New Mansoura and secured visas for a pre‑season camp in Spain, gearing up for the 2026 season under coach Hussein Amouta. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-opens-new-mansoura-branch-and-readies-spain-preseason-camp ### 2026-07-11: Al Ahly aims to renew Shobier and Ashour contracts before new season Al Ahly is set to settle contract renewals for Mustafa Shobier and Imam Ashour before the new season, discussing salary caps and other player deals as it prepares a pre‑season camp in Spain. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-aims-to-renew-shobier-and-ashour-contracts-before-new-season ### 2026-06-28: Al Ahly satisfies licensing queries and advances transfer talks ahead of 2026-27 season Al Ahly cleared local and African licensing requirements for 2026‑27, confirming tax compliance and financial transparency, while negotiating for Jordanian striker Ali Alwan. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-caps-spending-as-it-eyes-jordanian-striker-ali-alwan --- Cite as: Al Ahly 2026–27 season and squad transitions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/al-ahly-202627-season-preparations