The Egyptian national team enters the 2026 World Cup with a clear ambition: to achieve the first victory in its World Cup history, in what may be the last participation of the leader of the “Pharaohs” Mohamed Salah on the world stage.
Although Egypt was the first African team to appear in the World Cup in 1934, it did not achieve any victory in its previous participations in 1934, 1990 and 2018, being content with two draws and five defeats, despite having the record for the number of African Cup of Nations titles with 7 championships.
Salah had his first World Cup experience in Russia 2018 in difficult circumstances, after suffering a shoulder injury during the Champions League final with Liverpool, following the intervention of Sergio Ramos. He missed the first match against Uruguay, before scoring against Russia and Saudi Arabia, without succeeding in preventing Egypt’s exit from the first round.
The Egyptian star is preparing for the 2026 World Cup after ending his career with Liverpool, after 9 busy years during which he won the English Premier League twice in 2020 and 2025, and the European Champions League in 2019, to dedicate himself as one of the club’s most prominent stars.
But Salah, 33 years old, suffered a muscle injury last April that kept him out of coach Arne Slot’s squad for a while, amid reports of tension in their relationship during the season.
The Egyptian national team will conclude its preparations with a closed camp in Cairo, including a friendly match against Russia at Misr Stadium in the New Administrative Capital, before traveling to the United States for a final camp that includes a strong confrontation against Brazil in Cleveland on June 6.
National team manager Ibrahim Hassan confirmed that Salah will join the camp after his engagement with Liverpool ends, expressing his hope that he will join the Russia match or at least participate against Brazil before the start of the tournament.
Salah’s participation is of special importance, after he became a symbol for an entire generation since he took the captaincy of the national team after the 2019 African Cup of Nations.
The draw placed Egypt in Group Seven alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Iran, with its matches being held between Seattle and Vancouver.
Egypt enters the tournament in good spirits, after a great friendly victory over Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Jeddah last March, then a goalless draw with European champion Spain in Barcelona. (Sky News)
