Brazilian Rogério Mikali, head coach of Egypt's Olympic team, confirmed that "Mohamed Salah, the star of Liverpool FC, is welcome to join the 'Pharaohs' roster for the 2024 Olympics." The Egyptian team secured qualification for the Olympic Games to be hosted in Paris next summer after finishing as runners-up in the 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations held in Morocco recently. According to FIFA regulations, a qualified team for the Olympic Games is allowed to include three players over the age of 23.
Mikali stated in a television interview regarding the possibility of including the 31-year-old star Mohamed Salah in the Egyptian team for the 2024 Olympics: "Without a doubt, the name Mohamed Salah is very significant, akin to Neymar da Silva for the Brazilian team. Salah is a major asset for the national team, and we have a year to think and make the right decisions. He is certainly very welcome."
When asked if there is an opportunity for new players to wear the Egypt U-23 jersey, Mikali said: "The door is wide open for all players in the upcoming phase to join the national team, and we will continue to monitor players in the Egyptian league."
Regarding the Egyptian U-23 national team's loss of the Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco, Mikali explained: "I am upset and saddened because I did not win the Africa Cup of Nations title, but I promise the Egyptian fans that we will continue with the same ambition and effort. Tomorrow is a new day, and we will work towards achieving a medal in the Olympics."
