Mohamed ElSherbini admits to “mixed feelings” as he prepares to wear the Slovenian flag on his chest for the first time at this week’s 2026 ESF European Closed Individual Championships in Budapest.
Former world no.15 ElSherbini has switched allegiance from his native Egypt to officially become a Slovenian citizen. He hopes the move will improve his chances of qualifying for the LA28 Olympic Games.
Currently world no.49, ElSherbini has been seeded 5/8 for his Slovenia debut in Budapest. Faced with the likes of defending champion Victor Crouin, Swiss maestro Dimitri Steinmann, France’s Baptiste Masotti and veteran Nicolas Mueller, the adopted Slovenian is certainly not intimidated.
“I can beat all these guys,” he said. “I know my game. I reached world no.15 in five years and beat so many good players. When I play well, I can beat anyone. I’m sure about my game and I’m confident in my abilities.
“It’s just a matter of having the right game plan in each match and being in the mindset to execute your plan. I know if I’m playing my best game I can take all these guys, as I have done it before.”
‘It’s not a hoax!’
The Alexandria-born player first approached the Slovenian Squash Association about the possibility of joining them over two years ago.
When he received the email, President Klemen Kristan says he thought it was spam! Slovenian referee Marko Podgorsek made a few enquiries with some Egyptian contacts and it was soon confirmed that it was in fact not a hoax, so discussions began.
Although it took a long time for the citizenship paperwork to be processed, ElSherbini has now visited Slovenia and trained with the national team, who welcomed him with open arms.
The 33-year-old is now set for his debut — a prospect he’s relishing, even if will feel a little surreal.
He says: “The first feeling is that I’ve been with Egypt for so long, so it’s going to be different for me now with a new flag.
“The other feeling I have is a feeling of excitement. I’m super excited to play for Slovenia and hoping to bag this title for the country that has given me a lot from the first moment we met two years ago.”
He added: “I was in Slovenia about a month ago and met with the guys. We had a few days training and we bonded quite well. They’re really nice guys. Together, we will push very hard. Next year hopefully we can make it into European Team Championships Division Two, then Division One.”
Mohamed, who was based in the USA for 10 years before the pandemic, is the cousin of eight-time women’s world champion Nour ElSherbini. He is part of a growing group of players to switch nationalities with LA28 approaching, which includes:
Greg Lobban: Scotland to Australia
Declan James: England to Jamaica
Elise Romba: France to Portugal
Nicolas Serna: Colombia to Italy
Mazen Gamal: Egypt to Lithuania
ElSherbini’s switch of allegiance to Slovenia will make him eligible for next summer’s European Games in Istanbul, where the two gold medallists will seal qualification to LA28 (provided their ranking is in the world top 50 on 22 May 2028).
Even if ElSherbini doesn’t win gold in Turkiye, the move to Slovenian colours will improve his chances of qualifying for the Olympics via his world ranking. And if that doesn’t happen, he may get a third chance at the final qualification tournament just a few weeks before the LA28 Games.
‘Focusing on the goal’
As part of his move, ElSherbini has committed to play a major role in the future of Slovenian junior squash. He will lead a programme to develop children from elementary and secondary schools into future pros and college players.
With two young children at home in Alexandria and his own private club, Factory of Champions, with a thriving academy of over 200 juniors, ElSherbini has plenty on his plate — but Olympic qualification with Slovenia will now be an important part of his calendar.
“My focus now is to get to the top 25 or 30 spots which will give me a much better chance,” he says.
“In terms of training, I focus on quality rather than quantity. I’m surrounded by the right people, my coach, fitness coach and fellow players. High intensity, better sleep, better food. Most of all, focusing on the goal.”
