Mohamed Salah has been named in Egypt's starting lineup for their World Cup knockout match against Australia, dispelling doubts about his fitness after a recent injury. The Liverpool star, who sustained a knock in the group stage, trained fully on Thursday in Dallas and was declared fit by team doctors.
Salah's Return Boosts Egypt's Hopes
Egypt's captain and talisman, Salah, 34, had been a doubt after missing part of a training session earlier this week. However, he participated in a full practice on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the Cotton Bowl stadium in Dallas, according to team officials. His presence is crucial for Egypt, which advanced to the round of 16 after a second-place finish in Group H.
"Mohamed is ready to go. He's been working hard with the medical staff, and we are confident he can make an impact," said Egypt's coach, speaking at a pre-match press conference. Salah has scored two goals in the tournament so far, including a decisive penalty against Saudi Arabia.
Match Context and Stakes
The knockout clash against Australia is a must-win for Egypt, which is seeking its first quarterfinal appearance since 1990. Australia, which topped Group F, poses a strong challenge with a physical defense and quick counterattacks. Egypt's lineup also includes key players like Mohamed Elneny and Mostafa Mohamed.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. local time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a capacity crowd of over 80,000 expected. The winner will face either Brazil or South Korea in the quarterfinals.
