The Pharaohs were due to participate in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers in May.

However, the Egyptian FA ended confusion over which team will represent the country by pulling out of the tournament.

Al-Hawari insisted that Egypt must fully concentrate on booking a place in the 2010 World Cup finals for the first time since 1990.

"The national team are preparing to take part in World Cup qualifying - and this is Egypt's dream, to take part in the World Cup," he said.

"This is what we are thinking of at the moment, and all our efforts are focused on this," Al-Hawari was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

Refused Suggestion

There were reports that Egypt U-20 team may play in the tournament but the idea has been rebuffed by EFA technical director Mahmoud Al-Gohari, FilGoal.com learned.

Al-Gohari expressed concerns that the youth players may suffer exhaustion before playing in the 2009 U-20 World Cup on home soil.

Furthermore, any bad results in CHAN may affect the players' morale ahead of the anticipating tournament.

Al-Hawari shares Al-Gohari's view.

"They are busy preparing for the FIFA under-20 World Cup, which is to take place in Egypt just four months after the CHAN finals," he said.