LONDON: Mohamed Salah will be fit and firing on all cylinders in time for the World Cup in Russia, according to his manager Hector Cuper.
The Egypt coach said that he remains “optimistic” that the Liverpool star will feature for Egypt during the showpiece tournament.
The striker was a serious doubt for the World Cup after an altercation with Sergio Ramos on club duty for the Reds in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
However, Cuper, speaking after Egypt’s 0-0 friendly draw with Colombia on Friday, insisted medical reports look positive and Salah is edging closer to a return.
“We are optimistic, and every medical report says he will make it,” he said.
“But we still have to prepare for any situation that could happen before we start.
“Salah is not easy to replace, no doubt about that. He is a weapon for us, especially on the counter-attack, making use of his speed and his quality.”
On his side’s lackluster performance against Colombia, Cuper said: “Today we struggled in our attacking performance.
“We tried to compensate that with some team playing, but as I said in the second half we lacked stamina because we have a special condition.
“For religious reasons, players don’t drink nor eat anything, and we actually felt that.”
Egypt open their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Uruguay in the Ekaterinburg Arena.
Egypt coach Hector Cuper ‘optimistic’ about Mohamed Salah’s chances at World Cup
Egypt coach Hector Cuper ‘optimistic’ about Mohamed Salah’s chances at World Cup
- The striker was a serious doubt for the World Cup after an altercation with Sergio Ramos
- Egypt open their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Uruguay in the Ekaterinburg Arena
Twisted Minds secure dominant championship win at ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 Finals
- The tournament showcased talent from across the Kingdom’s gaming ecosystem and aims to give a platform to the next generation of esports stars
RIYADH: Twisted Minds have emerged as the winners of the ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 finals, reinforcing their status as a leading force in the Kingdom’s esports scene.
Entering the tournament — organized by ESL FACEIT Group — as defending champions, Twisted Minds delivered a dominant performance in the Overwatch 2 final, securing a commanding 4–0 victory over Kurohana.
The live LAN final, held at EFG Studios in Riyadh, served as the grand conclusion to a tournament designed to showcase the competitive depth and talent within Saudi Arabia’s national esports scene.
The competition featured a total prize pool of $20,000, providing significant rewards and incentives for the Kingdom’s rising stars as they transition from local play to high-level competitive environments. The finals followed an intensive online phase, bringing the top-performing Saudi teams together for a showcase of skill and national talent.
“The ESL Saudi Challenge represents a vital milestone in ESL FACEIT Group’s commitment to the local gaming community in Saudi Arabia,” said Franck Guignery, senior vice president and managing director, Middle East and Africa at ESL FACEIT Group.
“The competition enables talent to progress from national stages to global platforms while contributing to a sustainable esports ecosystem. This directly aligns with the goals of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, to establish Saudi Arabia as a premier global hub for gaming and esports and talent development.”
Positioned as a Saudi-focused competitive platform, the ESL Saudi Challenge forms part of EFG’s long-term commitment to supporting local esports growth by enabling talent progression, reinforcing professional standards, and fostering community-driven competition. Through these efforts, EFG aims to ensure the long-term international competitiveness of Saudi esports talent on the local, regional and international stages.
