CAIRO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian national soccer team has started the final preparatory camp ahead of the 2018 World Cup that will kick off on June 14 in Russia, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said on Tuesday.

Egypt have been grouped in Group A which features Uruguay, hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia.

"The team gathered on Monday night at Cairo International Stadium for their first training session," said the EFA in a statement.

It added all the selected players were available except for one wounded player and two others who have commitments with their clubs abroad.

On March, Egypt lost to Portugal and Greece in two friendly matches in the first training camp which was held in Switzerland.

The team will also play other warm-up games before the tournament.

Egypt will play against Kuwait in Kuwait City on May 26, which the EFA considers preparation for their second pool match against Gulf opponents Saudi Arabia.

Egypt will also play against Colombia and Belgium before opening their World Cup match against Uruguay in Yekaterinburg on June 15.

Egypt will then play against Russia four days later before ending the group A game against Saudi Arabia on June 25.