The name of the Egyptian midfielder, Hamza Abd El-Kareem, is increasingly being mentioned in the corridors of FC Barcelona. This comes as the club, under the guidance of head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco, initiates early planning to shape the squad for the season following the 2026 World Cup.
Preparing for the 2026-2027 campaign presents an extraordinary challenge for the Catalan giants. The primary obstacle is an exceptionally tight schedule, with the World Cup concluding on July 19, 2026. This leaves a pre-season window potentially shorter than two weeks before La Liga commences, a situation compelling Flick and Deco to explore unconventional solutions to ensure squad readiness.
According to reports from the Spanish newspaper “Sport”, a fundamental strategy to counteract the time crunch involves a greater reliance on talents from the famed La Masia academy. The German coach has decided to integrate several promising youngsters into first-team preparations ahead of schedule, aiming to acclimate them physically and technically for potential involvement from the very start of the new season.
A Strategic Shift Towards Youth
Within this strategic pivot, the profile of Hamza Abd El-Kareem has come into sharp focus. The 18-year-old, who recently joined Barcelona Atlètic on loan from Egyptian side Al Ahly, is now positioned as a potential beneficiary of this new approach. The current plan suggests he could be called up to train with the senior squad in the near future, provided he maintains the performance levels that have already garnered attention within the club.
Demonstrating a hands-on approach to talent assessment, Hansi Flick personally attended a Barcelona Atlètic match against Barbastro. His presence was part of a meticulous evaluation process to identify players capable of bridging gaps during the critical pre-season period. During this fixture, the technical staff’s observation was reportedly concentrated on midfield and attacking options, the very areas where Abd El-Kareem operates.
The player’s contractual situation further underscores this opportunity. His loan deal runs until the end of the current season and includes a purchase option set at 3 million euros for Barcelona to make the move permanent. This clause provides the young Egyptian with a tangible and significant chance to prove his worth during what is shaping up to be a pivotal phase in the club’s sporting planning.