Mohamed Salah

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Mohamed Salah has recently spearheaded Egypt's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant achievement for both the player and his national team. While his club form with Liverpool has seen some fluctuations, his performance for Egypt remains consistently strong, making him a crucial figure for their World Cup campaign.

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Mohamed Salah played a pivotal role in securing Egypt's spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On October 9, 2025, he scored two goals in a dominant 3-0 away win against Djibouti, which sealed Egypt's qualification by topping Group A with a game to spare. This marks Egypt's fourth appearance at the World Cup and Salah's second, having previously participated in 2018. Salah is currently the top scorer in the African qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, with nine goals.

On the club front, Salah recently achieved a personal milestone, scoring his 250th goal for Liverpool in a 2-0 Premier League victory against Aston Villa on November 1, 2025. Despite this achievement, there have been conflicting reports and speculation surrounding his future at Liverpool. Some reports suggest a potential lucrative offer from a Saudi club, with figures around £132 million per year in wages. There were also rumors of a strained relationship with Liverpool's coach Arne Slot after Salah was reportedly left out of a Champions League starting lineup. However, English press reports indicate Salah prefers to remain in Europe until his current contract with Liverpool expires.

Form:

Salah's form has shown a dichotomy between his national team and club performances. For Egypt, he has been in exceptional form, leading the team's World Cup qualification efforts as the top scorer with nine goals. His performance against Djibouti was widely praised by Egyptian media, receiving high ratings for his "distinguished performance," confidence, movement, and finishing.

At the club level with Liverpool, his form has been described as "lackluster" by some this season, especially compared to his usual high standards. As of early November 2025, he has scored three goals in nine Premier League matches and one goal in three Champions League appearances. However, his recent goal against Aston Villa demonstrated a return to form, with some observers noting he looked "back to his best." Despite an inconsistent start to the season at Liverpool, he continues to be regarded as a world-class attacker.

2026 World Cup Outlook:

With Egypt officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Mohamed Salah's outlook for the tournament is highly positive. He is expected to lead the Pharaohs as their captain and primary attacking threat. By 2026, Salah will be 34 years old, an age where some players see a decline in physical attributes. However, his disciplined lifestyle, diet, and rigorous training habits are expected to allow him to maintain a high level of performance. He has largely avoided long-term injuries, which bodes well for his fitness in the upcoming tournament.

It is anticipated that Salah will embrace a more creative role on the field, leveraging his experience, game intelligence, and exceptional finishing ability. His leadership qualities, calm demeanor, and determination are seen as vital for the Egyptian squad, inspiring younger players and strengthening the team in crucial matches. The 2026 World Cup presents an opportunity for Salah to further cement his legacy as one of Africa's greatest footballers.