PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | El Mahdy Mohamed Soliman Ibrahim |
| Date of Birth | 08/06/1987 (Age: 39) |
| Place of Birth | Cairo, Egypt |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Height | 1.89 m / 6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #37 (Zamalek) |
| Current Club | Zamalek SC |
| Previous Clubs | ENPPI, Al Mokawloon Al Arab (loan), Petrojet, Ghazl El Mahalla, Smouha, Pyramids FC, Al Ittihad Alexandria |
| International Caps | 0 (World Cup squad member) |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 (Squad member) |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
| Market Value | €329,000 |
The Frozen Moment
The phone call came in May 2026. Mahdy Soliman, the 39-year-old goalkeeper who had spent his entire career in the shadows, had been named in Egypt’s 26-man squad for the World Cup. For a player who had represented some of Egypt’s biggest clubs—ENPPI, Smouha, Pyramids, Al Ittihad, and now Zamalek—it was the culmination of a career defined by persistence.
He had been called up by Héctor Cúper during the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign but missed out on selection for the finals in Russia. Now, at 39, he was finally going to a World Cup. He was the oldest player in Egypt’s squad.
His journey had been remarkable. Initially signed by Zamalek at the start of the 2025-26 season as cover for established internationals Mohamed Sobhy and Mohamed Awad, Soliman worked his way up the pecking order to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. He played a key role in guiding Zamalek to their first Egyptian Premier League title in three years.
“Joining Zamalek raises my ambitions,” he said upon signing. “The team aims for all titles and their supporters want to win every trophy.”
His authority in the penalty area, composure under pressure, and vast experience in high-stakes matches earned him a place in Hossam Hassan’s 26-man squad for the World Cup. Despite his longevity, Soliman was yet to make his senior debut for Egypt. But at 39, he had finally been rewarded for years of consistency with a place among Egypt’s elite at football’s most prestigious tournament.
Origins
Mahdy Soliman was born on June 8, 1987, in Cairo, Egypt. His football journey began at the ENPPI youth system, where he developed his skills as a goalkeeper. He made his senior debut for ENPPI in the 2007-08 season and spent his early years establishing himself at the club.
His career through the Egyptian league system was a story of steady progression. He had loan spells at Al Mokawloon Al Arab and Petrojet, before making permanent moves to Ghazl El Mahalla, Smouha, Pyramids FC, Al Ittihad Alexandria, and finally Zamalek. Each move was a step forward, a chance to prove himself at a higher level.
His international career had been a slower burn. He had been called up to the Egypt national team on multiple occasions but had never earned a senior cap. He was part of the squad during the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign but missed out on the finals in Russia. The dream of playing for his country at a World Cup had always seemed just out of reach.
The European Forge
Soliman’s career through the Egyptian Premier League was defined by consistency and resilience. He played for some of Egypt’s biggest clubs, accumulating over 200 appearances in the top flight. His time at Smouha was particularly significant, where he made 67 league appearances over four seasons.
At Pyramids FC, he played 48 league matches over four seasons, helping the club establish itself as a force in Egyptian football. His time at Al Ittihad Alexandria was another important chapter, with 41 league appearances over three seasons.
His move to Zamalek in July 2025 was a “dream come true,” in his own words. Initially signed as cover, he worked his way up the pecking order to become the first-choice goalkeeper. He played a key role in guiding Zamalek to their first Egyptian Premier League title in three years, starting in the CAF Confederation Cup and domestic competitions.
His experience in high-stakes matches was invaluable. In the 2025-26 season, he recorded 926 minutes in the Egyptian Premier League with an average FotMob rating of 7.0. He was named in the CAF Confederation Cup squad and featured in the competition.
The Anatomy of His Game
At 1.89 metres, Soliman is a commanding presence in the penalty area. His game is defined by his experience, composure, and reliability.
In possession
, his distribution is reliable. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has a strong long pass accuracy.
Out of possession
, his shot-stopping is his greatest asset. His authority in the penalty area and composure under pressure have made him a dependable presence between the posts. In the 2025-26 Egyptian Premier League season, he had a FotMob rating of 7.0, demonstrating his consistency.
His leadership
is another key quality. He has played for some of Egypt’s biggest clubs and has accumulated a wealth of experience. He is a player who commands respect in the dressing room.
His weakness
has been his lack of international experience. Despite being called up on multiple occasions, he has never earned a senior cap for Egypt. His age is also a factor—at 39, he is the oldest player in Egypt’s World Cup squad.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Clean Sheets | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egyptian Premier League | 10+ | 926 | — | 7.0 |
| CAF Confederation Cup | 2 | 180 | — | — |
| Egypt Cup | 1 | 90 | — | — |
| League Cup | 3 | — | — | — |
| Total | 16+ | 1,196+ | — | — |
TABLE B: Career (Egyptian Premier League)
| Season | Club | Apps | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Zamalek | 10+ | — |
| 2024/25 | Al Ittihad | 7 | — |
| 2023/24 | Al Ittihad | 22 | — |
| 2022/23 | Al Ittihad | 1 | — |
| 2021/22 | Pyramids | 0 | — |
| 2020/21 | Pyramids | 4 | — |
| 2019/20 | Pyramids | 24 | — |
| TOTAL | — | 68+ | — |
TABLE C: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | Squad Member |
| Egypt Senior Career | 0 | 0 | — |
| World Cup Qualifying | Called up | — | Missed 2018 finals |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ENPPI Debut | Made senior debut |
| 2018 | World Cup Call-Up | Part of qualifying campaign |
| 2018 | Pyramids Move | Signed for the club |
| 2022 | Al Ittihad Move | Signed for Alexandria club |
| 2025 | Zamalek Move | Signed for Cairo giants |
| 2026 | Egyptian Premier League Winner | Won with Zamalek |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Egypt’s squad |
What These Figures Reveal
The statistics paint a portrait of a player who has been a consistent performer in the Egyptian Premier League for nearly two decades. He has played for some of Egypt’s biggest clubs—ENPPI, Smouha, Pyramids, Al Ittihad, and Zamalek—accumulating over 200 senior appearances.
His 2025-26 season at Zamalek has been the pinnacle of his career. He helped the club win their first Egyptian Premier League title in three years and earned a place in Egypt’s World Cup squad. His experience in high-stakes matches, including the CAF Confederation Cup, has been invaluable.
Notably, Soliman has never earned a senior cap for Egypt. His inclusion in the World Cup squad is a reward for his consistency and leadership, rather than his international experience. At 39, he is the oldest player in Egypt’s squad.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup was the culmination of Soliman’s career. He was named in Hossam Hassan’s 26-man squad for the tournament, the oldest player in the Egypt squad. His inclusion was a reward for his form at Zamalek, where he had played a key role in guiding the club to their first Egyptian Premier League title in three years.
Despite his selection, Soliman was yet to make his senior debut for Egypt. He was named as an unused substitute in Egypt’s World Cup matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Brazil. His role in the squad was clear: provide experience and leadership to a young team, and be ready if called upon.
His club future is secure. He is under contract at Zamalek until 2027 and has become a key player for the club. His experience and leadership will be invaluable as Zamalek looks to defend their league title.
His international career is still alive. He has been called up to the Egypt squad on multiple occasions and is a World Cup squad member. His dream of earning a senior cap for his country is still alive.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Soliman’s story is one of persistence and resilience. He spent his entire career in the shadows, never quite breaking through to the national team. He was called up by Héctor Cúper during the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign but missed out on selection for the finals in Russia.
His move to Zamalek in 2025 was a “dream come true.” He was initially signed as cover but worked his way up the pecking order to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. He played a key role in guiding Zamalek to their first Egyptian Premier League title in three years.
His family's support has been unwavering. He has spoken about the importance of his family in his career. His journey from ENPPI to Zamalek and the World Cup is a testament to his character.
The Verdict from the Camp
Hossam Hassan, Egypt head coach:
Named Soliman in Egypt’s World Cup squad, valuing his experience and leadership.
Ahram Online:
Soliman is “a commanding and dependable presence between the posts.”
Mahdy Soliman, on joining Zamalek:
“Joining Zamalek raises my ambitions. The team aims for all titles and their supporters want to win every trophy.”
Where Next?
Mahdy Soliman is 39 years old and has achieved the pinnacle of his career: a place in Egypt’s World Cup squad. He has won the Egyptian Premier League with Zamalek and has been a consistent performer in Egyptian football for nearly two decades.
Club Outlook
He is under contract at Zamalek until 2027 and has become a key player for the club. His experience and leadership will be invaluable as Zamalek looks to defend their league title. He will continue to be the first-choice goalkeeper for the club.
International Outlook
His international career is still active. He has been called up to the Egypt squad on multiple occasions and is a World Cup squad member. His dream of earning a senior cap for his country is still alive. Whether he gets his chance at the World Cup or in future qualifiers, his persistence has been rewarded.
The Journey Continues
From ENPPI to Zamalek, from the Egyptian Premier League to the World Cup, Mahdy Soliman’s journey is a story of persistence, resilience, and the power of never giving up. The boy who started his career at ENPPI is now a World Cup player. His legacy is a testament to the power of hard work and determination.
