by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Egypt national team coach Hector Cuper has called up 17 foreign-based players for a training camp as they prepare for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.The Pharaohs, who reached the World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years, will hold two training camps in March ahead of football's most prestigious tournament.The first camp for the seven-time African Champions will be held in Switzerland from March 20-28 and will see them play two friendly matches against Portugal and Greece.Among others, Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah headlines the foreign squad as well as West Brom’s defender Ahmed Hegazy.Meanwhile, Al-Ain’s Hussein El-Shahat has also been included, but Bidvest Wits' (South Africa) on-loan striker iAmr Gamal remains a prominent absentee.According to the Pharaohs' administrative manager Ihab Leheta, the local-based squad is set to be announced on March 10.Egypt are in Group A in the global tournament together with hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.