SEATTLE: Egypt captain Mohamed Salah’s fitness will be assessed ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage.
Salah, 34, was substituted in the second half during Egypt’s final group-stage fixture against Iran. The star striker, who was visibly frustrated, was taken off in the 57th minute. Ultimately, Egypt drew 1-1 with Iran after being denied a late winner following a controversial VAR review.
They will now face Australia in the Round of 32 on Friday, 3 July.
Following the match, the Pharaohs’ coach Hossam Hassan remained optimistic about Salah’s fitness. The striker has managed to score one goal in three matches so far.
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“He asked to come off. If a player asks to be substituted, it means he felt something,” Hassan said of Mohamed Salah. “We’ll make sure what the problem is. We’ll assess him.”
“The doctor will write his report when we get back to the hotel and will carry out a second examination. I spoke with Salah and, God willing, the injury doesn’t seem serious,” Hassan added.
Besides Salah, the coach also provided an update on left-back Ahmed Fatouh and midfielder Hamdi Fathi, both of whom are injured, and expressed hope they would recover in time for the match against the Socceroos.
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“I have warriors. I have Egyptian players who are worthy of the trust placed in them,” Hossam Hassan said.
“I don’t worry about missing players. I have complete confidence in everyone in this squad. If I worried every time we had an injury, then I wouldn’t be fit to coach the Egypt national team.”
“We’ll prepare ourselves, work hard and do everything we can for what’s coming next,”
Egypt finished second in Group G with five points, behind Belgium on goal difference.
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