Mohamed Salah is determined to lead Egypt to their first ever World Cup victory, in what is expected to be his final appearance at the tournament.
Despite being one of African football’s most successful nations, with a record seven continental titles, Egypt have failed to win a single match in their three previous World Cup campaigns.
Salah arrived at the 2018 World Cup in Russia in the best form of his career, having scored 44 goals in his debut Liverpool season. However, a serious shoulder injury sustained in the Champions League final, following a challenge by Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, hampered his participation. He scored twice but could not prevent Egypt from exiting at the group stage, losing to Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Now 33, Salah heads into this tournament at the other end of his Liverpool career. He left Anfield on Sunday in emotional circumstances after nine years, 257 goals, two Premier League titles and a Champions League winners medal.
“We put this club back where it belongs,” he said in his farewell message to supporters on Merseyside.
His influence extended well beyond football. In 2019, he was included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognised as a prominent figure for Egyptians, Scousers and Muslims globally. He has also used his platform to advocate for gender equality in the Arab world and to call for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza following Israeli air strikes in October 2023.
Egypt now look to Salah to deliver on the international stage in a way that has so far eluded him. He has twice finished on the losing side in the Africa Cup of Nations final, in 2017 and 2021.
“For me, Salah is the best player in the world,” said Egypt forward Trezeguet. “His presence is extremely important, not just as a star, but as a leader who gives us confidence and strength.”
Together, Salah and Trezeguet scored 14 of Egypt’s 20 goals during qualification. However, Salah was below his best in the Premier League this season, contributing to his departure from Liverpool. Just a year ago, he had signed a new two year deal on the back of one of the finest individual seasons the league has seen. Relations with manager Arne Slot became strained after Salah was dropped for three consecutive matches in December, and he ended the campaign with just 12 goals in 41 appearances, his lowest return in a Liverpool shirt.
Despite this, there are reasons for optimism. Egypt face Belgium, New Zealand and Iran in Group G, a favourable draw by most assessments. At the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, Salah scored in his first four matches before Egypt were eliminated by Senegal in the semi finals.
He also missed the March international window, during which Egypt thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 and held Spain to a goalless draw.
Former Egypt captain Ahmed Fathi is backing his former team mate to shine. “I believe he will achieve something with the Pharaohs at the 2026 World Cup,” he said. “I played with him from the early days of his international career. We were together at the London 2012 Olympics and the 2018 World Cup. He always made the difference, and I hope he will do it again in the United States.”
