Mohamed Salah might be struggling to find his rhythm at Liverpool this season, but he rediscovered his magic touch on international duty with Egypt, inspiring the Pharaohs to a dominant 3-0 win over Djibouti that sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup.
The match, played at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Wednesday night, reviewed Egypt’s fourth-ever qualification for the global showpiece and offered a much-needed confidence lift for their captain, who has faced criticism for his recent dip in club form.
At 33, Salah continues to shine for his country, taking his tally to nine goals in the qualifiers the highest of any player in African World Cup qualification. His performance led Egypt to top Group A with an unbeaten record, collecting an impressive 23 points from nine matches.
Burkina Faso’s narrow 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone was not enough to close the gap, as they remained five points behind with one game left.
Egyptian media outlets were full of praise for Salah’s standout display. Kora 365 rated him 9.6/10, describing his showing as “distinguished,” while Erem News gave him a 9/10, calling him “the leader who made the difference.
They highlighted his composure, leadership, and sharp finishing — qualities that helped him score twice and dismantle Djibouti’s defence. “He played one of his most complete matches for the national team,”
With this result, Egypt became the third African nation to book a ticket to the expanded 48 team World Cup, joining Morocco and Tunisia. The 2026 edition, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will mark the first time nine African nations compete on football’s biggest stage.
