Mohamed Salah Eyes Redemption as Egypt Close In on 2026 World Cup Qualification

Posted : 07 October 2025

Mohamed Salah is determined to turn the page on his difficult start to the season with Liverpool by leading Egypt to World Cup qualification. The Pharaohs, record seven-time African champions, will book their spot at the 2026 tournament with a victory over Djibouti — one of Africa’s lowest-ranked teams — giving them an unassailable lead in Group A with one game remaining.

Salah, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, has endured a slow campaign at club level, scoring just three goals in nine appearances across all competitions. This marks a stark contrast to last season, when he netted 29 times in 38 Premier League matches to claim the Golden Boot and help Liverpool to their 20th league title.

The 33-year-old forward, however, has fond memories of facing Djibouti. He scored four goals in Egypt’s 6–0 win in Cairo in the opening round of World Cup qualifying two years ago and has since taken his tally to seven goals in the campaign — just one behind Gabon’s Denis Bouanga.

Due to stadium restrictions, Djibouti will host Egypt in Casablanca, Morocco, as they lack a FIFA-approved home ground. Despite the challenge of playing away, Egypt enter the match as overwhelming favourites. Coach Hossam Hassan has an abundance of attacking options, including Mostafa Mohamed, Omar Marmoush, Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan, and Ahmed "Zizo" Sayed.

Teammate Mostafa Mohamed has brushed off concerns about Salah’s form, calling it a “temporary setback.” “Mo is a big star, and we are lucky to have him,” he told FIFA. “He’s the best player in Egypt’s history — a wonderful player with a great personality.”

Elsewhere in Africa’s qualifying campaign, Algeria and Cape Verde could also secure their World Cup spots with victories this week. Already-qualified Morocco and Tunisia have set the pace, while Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Ghana remain in contention depending on other results.

Algeria, seeking a fifth World Cup appearance, will face Somalia, a side ranked 163 places below them in Oran due to security concerns in Mogadishu. Cape Verde, meanwhile, can make history by becoming the smallest African nation ever to qualify if they defeat Libya in Tripoli.

For Salah and Egypt, however, the focus is simple: win against Djibouti and punch their ticket to North and Central America for the 2026 World Cup.

Mohamed Salah Eyes Redemption as Egypt Close In on 2026 World Cup Qualification

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