Medical staff have advised against him playing on the artificial surface at Juba Stadium because of his previous cruciate ligament surgery. Egypt were due to fly this afternoon after training on an artificial pitch at the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo to prepare those who are making the trip.
Abdelmonem, 27, is a centre-back at French club Nice, where he signed from Al Ahly in 2024 on a contract to 2028. He tore his ACL in April 2025 during a win over Paris Saint-Germain and missed an entire club season. He returned to training in France in the summer of 2026 after a long rehabilitation.
He came through Al Ahly’s academy and was a regular in their domestic and CAF Champions League success, including a crucial goal in the 2023 final against Wydad. He has represented Egypt at the 2021 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt opened qualifying with a 0-0 draw against Angola in Cairo. Mohamed Salah has also been rested for the same surface-related reasons. Hossam Hassan’s side sit in Group B with Angola, South Sudan and Malawi, who beat South Sudan 2-1 on Friday.
The Pharaohs must now try to take three points in Juba without two important members of the squad. Matchday 2 is on Tuesday.