Salah injury doubt: Egypt sweat on captain, and England keep watch

Mohamed Salah is an injury doubt for Egypt’s last-32 tie against Australia in Dallas on Friday 3 July (19:00 BST) after suffering a hamstring strain. The 34-year-old captain was substituted in the 1-1 draw with Iran, with scans later confirming the problem. It matters to England too: depending on how the bracket falls, the Three Lions could meet the Pharaohs in the latter stages of the 2026 World Cup.

Salah’s injury explained

Mohamed Salah’s injury is a hamstring strain and his availability for Friday remains uncertain. Egypt team doctor Mohamed Abou said the player complained of pain before scans confirmed the strain. The Egyptian Football Association says Salah has begun a treatment programme but stopped short of confirming he will face Australia.

Substituted during the 1-1 draw with Iran, Salah has scored 68 goals in 119 games for Egypt. Losing him would strip the Pharaohs of their biggest attacking threat at the worst possible moment, right at the start of the knockout rounds.

What it means for England

For England, the doubt over Salah reshapes how the draw looks. An Egypt without their talisman would be a far more manageable opponent should the two nations meet in the quarter-finals or semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

Tuchel’s side stay focused on their own half of the bracket but track rival injuries closely. A below-par Salah, even if he returns, lowers the danger of an Egypt attack capable of punishing any defensive lapse.

Egypt v Australia: the last-32 picture

Egypt’s last-32 tie with Australia is in Dallas on Friday 3 July. With Salah short of full fitness, the balance shifts: a well-drilled Australia side could sense a genuine chance to reach the quarter-finals.

The exact severity will be decisive. Egypt’s coach must weigh starting a captain at risk against saving his key man for later — assuming the Pharaohs get through this round at all.

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