Salah's World Cup nightmare in 2018 puts pressure on Egypt in 2026

Mohamed Salah returns to the World Cup stage in 2026 after a painful run of tournaments for Egypt. The 33-year-old was part of a 2018 campaign that collapsed amid off-field chaos and three group-stage defeats, leaving the Pharaohs still without a World Cup win.

Missing out entirely in 2022 denied him a chance to set the record straight at the peak of his powers, and now, in the twilight of his career, he arrives determined to make history. In 2018 Salah’s involvement was compromised by the shoulder injury suffered in the Champions League final after a clash with Sergio Ramos; scans showed sprained ligaments but the Egyptian FA set a three-week recovery timetable and he was named in the squad.

He sat out the Uruguay opener, watched Egypt lose late, then started against Russia and scored a consolation penalty as his side were already well adrift. A final-day collapse against Saudi Arabia left Egypt exit-bound and winless across their three World Cup appearances.

Egypt

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