Wigan Athletics striker Mido was left out of Egypt’s squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Algeria due in Algiers on June 7.

"The main reason for not calling Mido is his poor performance with Wigan, and also because he is not playing in the starting XI for his club,” one of Egypt’s coaches, Hamda Soudqi said.

Soudqi also explained that Mido’s recurring injuries did not help his cause. This puts to rest speculation that Mido was axed because of his rivalry with Wigan team-mate, Amr Zaki.

The Egyptian Football Association announced on their official website a 28-man squad, who will provide the teams to play against Oman in a friendly on May 30 and then Algeria and Rwanda in the World Cup qualifiers.

Zamalek youngster Hazem Emam and Arab Contractors’ striker Ihab Al-Masri are in the squad which will be trimmed to 23 before the Algeria trip.

The Egypt squad will get together on Monday before heading to Oman for a week’s training camp and a friendly game with the country’s national side.

The same squad will feature at the FIFA Confederations Cup, which kicks off on June 14 in South Africa. They will then clash with Rwanda on July 5 in another World Cup qualifier.

Ends