The Egyptian will not play in his home event, which forms part of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Series.

Ashour, who won the event in 2012, 2014 and 2015, has failed to recover from a hamstring injury suffered during last month's British Open in Hull.

Former world number one James Willstrop of England will become the new number five seed in El Gouna, replacing Ashour.

Germany's world number 10 Simon Rösner will now be the eighth and final seed, meaning he will face a qualifier in round one.

A lucky loser - a randomly selected player who loses in the final round of qualifying - will also progress to the main draw to make up the numbers.

There, he will face Spain's world number 15 Borja Golan.

Egypt's Mohamed Elshorbagy will be among the favourites to win the competition, with qualifying action taking place today and tomorrow before the competition begins on April 7.

He will face Mathieu Castagnet of France in round one.

Another Frenchman, Gregory Gaultier, will take on Egypt's wildcard Marwan Tarek.

England's three-time former world champion Nick Matthew will open against another Egyptian in Fares Dessouky.

Matches will take place on a glass court at the New Marina. 

The Women's World Championships will also take place in El Gouna, beginning on Friday (April 7).