Now-former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was substituted shortly after the break during Egypt's 1-1 World Cup Group Stage draw against Iran, with his leg strapped up
Oscar Maung-Haley US Sports Reporter
11:32, 27 Jun 2026
Mohamed Salah of Egypt sat on the bench during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Egypt and IR Iran at Seattle Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Seattle, United States.
Salah looked glum sat on the bench during the second half of Egypt's 1-1 World Cup draw against Iran(Image: Getty Images)
Egypt is sweating on the fitness of Mohamed Salah after he was forced off in the second half against Iran at Lumen Field.
Friday saw Egypt and Iran play out a dramatic 1-1 draw in the group stages of the World Cup, with the latter believing it had snatched all three points at the death through 37-year-old Shoja Khalilzadeh. However, the goal was ruled out by referee Szymon Marciniak, with the game ending 1-1.
While Egypt could have topped Group G with a win, the draw against Iran meant it had to settle for second behind Belgium, which defeated New Zealand 5-1. Next up for Salah and co. is a Round of 32 match against Australia, while Iran is currently anxiously awaiting to find out if it has made the World Cup knockouts. Unfortunately for Egypt, it is sweating over Salah's fitness, as the former Liverpool forward, who made a classy gesture to some mascots ahead of the match, was substituted in the second half against Iran.
He was replaced at 57 minutes, with it soon becoming clear he had picked up an injury.
A member of Egypt's medical staff appeared to be strapping an ice pack to his hamstring as he sat glumly on the bench watching the second half action.
Salah was also seen on the touchline with the ice pack still strapped to his leg. Asked about Salah's status following the draw with Iran, Egypt manager Hossam Hassan said: "He is still being assessed by the medics. We are waiting for the report on Salah.
Mohamed Salah #10 of Egypt reacts as he is substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Egypt and IR Iran at Seattle Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
Mohamed Salah was substituted during the second half of Egypt's 1-1 draw with Iran(Image: Getty Images)
"We will see when we go back to the hotel and have another examination as well. I talked to Salah, and he said he’s going to be OK and it’s not a big injury.
"We still have time to talk to the medical staff, I think he will be back, and when I spoke to Salah, he assured me he’s going to be OK."
Hassan also shared with beIN Sports that Salah had asked to come off. "He asked to come off. If a player asks to be substituted, it means he felt something," added Hassan. "We’ll make sure what the problem is. We’ll assess him."
Egypt's Round of 32 clash with Australia is slated for Friday, July 3, giving Salah just under a week to recover from his injury.
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He also suffered a hamstring injury to the same leg toward the end of last season for Liverpool at the end of April, which resulted in him missing a string of games before the Reds' penultimate game of the season against Aston Villa.
Should Egypt advance against Australia, it will be handed the toughest of tests, likely facing defending World Cup champion Argentina and Lionel Messi, who take on Cape Verde in the Round of 32.
Iran, meanwhile, is anxiously awaiting to see if it will qualify as one of the eight best third-placed finishers. The team currently sits sixth in the table, but could drop outside the top eight should results this weekend go against it.