World number one Elshorbagy has twice lost out in the prestigious title decider – in 2012 and 2014 – and fell to a shock third round exit last season when favourite for the trophy.
The Egyptian is seeded to meet Cameron Pilley – the hard-hitting Australian who has already beaten him twice in 2016 – in the third round.
Should the 25-year-old come through that battle, England’s James Willstrop could lay in wait as a possible quarter-final opponent.
With Ali Farag, Miguel Angel Rodriguez and the in-form Karim Abdel Gawad also possible last eight opponents, Elshorbagy will have to be at his best to reach a third World Championship final – with Nick Matthew seeded to stand between him and the title-decider.
On the opposite side of the draw, defending champion Gregory Gaultier also faces a tough draw, beginning with a first round match against New Zealand’s Paul Coll.
Coll has been ever improving during the past twelve months and will be hoping to cause a huge first round shock, with the winner seeded to meet Marwan ElShorbagy in the quarter-finals.
Last year’s World Championship runner-up Omar Mosaad, Mathieu Castagnet and 2015 semi-finalist Tarek Momen are amongst the other big names in the bottom half.
