Egypt
Mo Salah carrying a whole nation
Salah is 34, just left Liverpool, and has never reached a World Cup knockout round.
Watchability4/5
Drama4/5
Star power4/5
Title shot1/5
Team rating
76TEAM
- Attack80
- Midfield73
- Defense74
Next matches
- Next upvs New ZealandBC Place, VancouverJun 21
- vs IranLumen Field, SeattleJun 26
The read
Mohamed Salah — the electric forward who became a global icon at Liverpool, now a free agent — is 34, and despite all his fame he has never reached a World Cup . He turned 34 the very day Egypt drew Belgium 1-1, setting up their goal before the lead slipped away: generosity, brilliance, and 'so close' in one player.
The fan’s readSalah at 34, freshly a free agent, 100 million hopes on his shoulders, setting up goals on his birthday — generosity and brilliance and "so close" in one worth riding for the drama.
The cast
- Hossam HassanEgyptian; the country's all-time leading goalscorer as a player, now coaching the national team he once starred formanager
- Mohamed Salah ★The most beloved African footballer alive, captaining Egypt at likely his last World Cup, two goals from his nation's all-time record.ClubLiverpool (departing as free agent; next club unannounced)
- Omar MarmoushEgypt's second star — a forward who exploded into a Man City move.ClubManchester City
- Emam AshourThe surprise punch — a midfielder who can pop up with a goal.ClubZamalek
- Mostafa MohamedA physical, bullying No. 9 who gives Egypt a different look.ClubNantes
Key moments
- 1957–2010Africa's record kingsEgypt have won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times (1957–2010), including an unmatched three tournaments in a row from 2006 to 2010 — the most successful nation in African football.
- 1934The very firstEgypt were the first team from Africa or the Middle East ever to play at a FIFA World Cup, debuting in 1934 — yet have qualified only a handful of times since.
- through 2018Never won a WC matchAcross their pre-2026 World Cup appearances (1934, 1990, 2018) Egypt never won a single match and never reached the knockout stage — a startling gap for such a decorated nation.