Mohamed Salah approached the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup with a realistic perspective. “I think we just need to focus on our camp and train hard, and we’ll see in the group,” Salah noted, according to ESPN. “We want to make the people proud, and we’ll do our best.” These words might reflect strong media training or genuine thoughts from a player who has faced previous World Cup disappointments.
Salah played a crucial role when Egypt secured its first World Cup spot since 1990, thanks to his goal in October 2017. Despite this, The Pharaohs experienced three losses in the group stage during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and did not qualify in 2022. In what might be his final World Cup, Salah rekindled hope for Egyptian fans with an impressive display against New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver on Sunday, June 21.
New Zealand started strong, taking a 1-0 lead with Finn Surman’s goal in the 15th minute. However, Mostafa Zico leveled the score in the 58th minute. Then, Salah took center stage, scoring in the 67th minute and assisting Trezeguet’s goal in the 82nd minute, securing a 3-1 comeback victory for Egypt — the country’s first-ever World Cup win.
“What happened today is history for us, as Egyptians,” Salah told the media after receiving the Man of the Match award. “It seems to other teams, it’s okay, it’s fine. You see a lot of teams win games, but, for us, as Egyptians, it’s like, it doesn’t happen often.”
Egypt began their 2026 World Cup journey with a 1-1 draw against Belgium, where Salah also scored. Surprisingly, The Pharaohs now lead Group G with 4 points. Watching Salah in high-pressure situations remains a delight, a feeling familiar to Liverpool fans for nine years.
The Athletic reports that Egypt boasts “over a 99% chance” of advancing to the knockout stage and a 61% chance to win Group G. Egypt last reached the knockout stage in 1934. They aim to conclude the group stage with a match against Iran at Lumen Field in Seattle on Friday, June 26.