Mohamed Salah delivers on the biggest stage for Egypt as 2026 World Cup ticket booked

Last Updated on 10 October 2025

It was a night of pure dominance in Casablanca. Egypt controlled every blade of grass as they swept aside Djibouti 3-0 to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup.

The man leading from the front, and by example, Mohamed Salah, was central to the massive win, like he has been for Egypt and Liverpool throughout his career.

Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring in the 8th minute of the game from Zizo’s cross, before Salah slotted in six minutes later for the second.

Six minutes from time, Salah put the game to bed with a superb lob from inside the box.

Mohamed Salah shines for Egypt, grabbing a brace to end eight-year World Cup wait

Egypt have been excellent in the 2026 World Cup Qualifying stage and captain Mohamed Salah has been setting the tempo for the Pharaohs.

With zero losses in Group A, Egypt won their seventh game, ending their eight-year wait without a World Cup appearance.

Mohamed Salah delivered a superb performance, once again proving that age is just a number. The Egypt legend moved to nine goals in African qualification, most of any player, and ahead of Gabon’s Denis Bouanga.

Salah’s brace also put him on 63 goals for the national team, only six behind the all-time leader, Hossam Hassan, who is also Egypt’s current top goalscorer.

Mohamed Salah’s superb performance for Egypt another stark reminder for Arne Slot and Liverpool

Salah’s performance in Casablanca stood in stark contrast to his club form. While he continues to shine in Egyptian colors, his struggles at Liverpool have raised eyebrows in recent weeks.

It comes after a record-breaking transfer window from the champions, in which they signed nearly half a billion worth of players.

However, three losses in three consecutive games has led to a lot of scrutiny and Salah’s lack of impact has also been majorly highlighted.

The damning statistic doing the rounds on social media is true, the 33-year-old has only completed one dribble in eight Premier League matches.

But more than the lack of ability and debates about age catching up, it’s Arne Slot’s failure of maximising Salah’s potential.

In a bid to try and adjust his new-look attack, the Dutchman has almost forgotten who singlehandedly fired Liverpool to their 20th title, last season. And with the new signings taking time to adjust, it might be time to go back to tried and tested.

Arne Slot’s best bet to get the most out of Mohamed Salah is consistent team selection

Another problem for Salah has been the constant change on the right flank.

Ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure, Salah’s lost a reliable partner at rightback and a quality passer of the ball.

But more than just Trent’s quality, Salah’s also had to contend with four different rightbacks in less than two months of competitive football.

Jeremie Frimpong was brought in from Bayer Leverkusen to provide competition for Conor Bradley. Yet, neither of the two have delivered consistent performances due to injuries and poor form.

That has led to Dominik Szoboszlai starting games as the fullback. Arguably, the Hungarian has been the most consistent in that position, while Joe Gomez has also filled in at rightback.

Despite Salah’s obvious talent, it’s impossible to strike a partnership when there is so much chopping and changing ongoing.

Sometimes, simple adjustments can work wonders and maybe the answer to Liverpool’s problems this season, is consistent team selection.