Inside the Big 12's bet on private equity to close revenue gap, compete in the NIL era
Big 12 partners with private equity to tackle revenue challenges amid NIL costs.
Barcelona's 18-year-old starlet Hamza Abdelkarim is expected to be called up for Egypt's World Cup squad. Despite not playing for Barça Atletic yet, he has been making headlines with his performances in the Juvenil A side.
Mentioned in this story
Barcelona 18-year-old starlet set to be called up for the World Cup by national team
Hamza Abdelkarim’s rise continues at a remarkable speed. Despite not yet featuring for Barça Atletic since arriving at FC Barcelona in January, and instead playing for Pol Planas’ Juvenil A side, the young forward keeps making headlines.
While Barça appear increasingly willing to trigger the purchase option they hold with Al-Ahly, his parent club, the teenager is now in the spotlight because he is expected to be included in Egypt’s squad for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Indeed, according to SPORT, Hamza will be a part of the Egyptian national team squad that will fly to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup next month.
The 18-year-old striker is part of a provisional 50-man shortlist from which Egypt manager Hossam Hassan would select his final World Cup squad.
Now, SPORT, citing sources within the Egyptian Football Federation, claims that Hassan and members of the federation have contacted the striker and informed him to complete the necessary paperwork required to enter the US, as he will be included in the final squad.
The 18-year-old striker has become a huge sensation in his home country, especially following his move to Barcelona this season.
Hamza Abdelkarim is an 18-year-old forward from Barcelona, expected to be included in Egypt's World Cup squad due to his impressive performances at the youth level.
Since joining FC Barcelona in January, Hamza Abdelkarim has not yet played for Barça Atletic but has made headlines while playing for the Juvenil A side.
The World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Big 12 partners with private equity to tackle revenue challenges amid NIL costs.


Arsenal's Ben White sidelined for the season and World Cup due to injury
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Hamza Abdelkarim set to play for Egypt at the World Cup. (Picture credit: Instagram/@hamzabdelkarim)
Reports in Egypt claimed he was competing for a World Cup place with 18-year-old Zamalek striker Nasser Mansi and Salah Mohsen, the 27-year-old Al-Masry forward. It now appears that Hamza has won that battle.
The teenager represented the most inexperienced option among the candidates, but at the same time, the one generating the most excitement among supporters because of the enormous potential he possesses.
The idea that he could go to a World Cup without yet having made his senior debut for Egypt underlines just how rapid his rise has been. Up until now, he has only represented the African nation at the Under-17 level, so the leap would be enormous.
Barcelona are following the situation very closely because the tournament could dramatically increase the youngster’s market value.
The report suggests that Barça have already contacted Al-Ahly with the intention of activating the purchase option on the striker.
The deal would cost €1.5 million upfront, plus a further €5 million in variables depending on whether the player reaches certain objectives in the future.