Mo Salah faces an anxious wait to determine the severity of the hamstring injury he sustained in Egypt’s draw against Iran, which booked a place in the World Cup‘s round of 32.
Egypt qualified for the knockout stages of a World Cup for the very first time after their 1-1 draw against Iran, to finish as Group G runners-up.
They will face Australia in the round of 32 on Friday, and will hope the week between games will allow Salah to return from the injury that forced his withdrawal in the final group match.
The former Liverpool forward asked to be replaced in the 57th minute with the scores locked at 1-1, and while the severity was not known at the time, he was later spotted on the bench with ice wrapped around his left hamstring.
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He will undergo scans to determine the severity of his injury, but the 34-year-old is confident it is not a big injury that will rule him out against the Socceroos in Dallas.
“Salah asked to be replaced, but we still don’t know the diagnosis,” Egypt manager Hossam Hassan said after the match, as quoted by Al-Ahram.
“Since he felt something, it means there is something. He will undergo scans and we hope for the best.”
He added: “I talked to Salah, and he said he’s going to be okay, and it’s not a big injury. We still have time to talk to the medical staff.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool substitute Mohamed Salah during the pre-match warm-up for his final two games for the club before the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I think he will be back, and when I spoke to Salah, he assured me he’s going to be okay.”
Salah’s withdrawal ended his run of scoring or assisting in every World Cup match he had played, with his previous four appearances all returning a goal contribution.
He has yet to confirm his next step after leaving Liverpool, with that only expected once his World Cup campaign ends, which he will hope is not forced due to injury.