Egypt have been told they cannot rely on Mohamed Salah to guide the Pharaohs to the knockout stages of the World Cup. That is the message from the side’s coach Hector Cuper, who revealed he was optimistic the side’s star will play a part in Russia.
Since he injured his shoulder during Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final, all the talk has centered on whether Salah would be fit enough to play in Egypt’s first World Cup since 1990. But for Cuper such talk gets in the way of the real issue; that the side should not depend on Salah for
glory, regardless of the 25-year-old’s fitness.
“We hope we won’t be affected, we try to be the same team, we can’t be dependent on one player,” Cuper said. “He’s important but if he’s not fit in time we will be ready with another player.
“This is football, these things can happen to any player. We could need to substitute him, but we hope that won’t be the case.”
Salah was included in Egypt’s final 23-man squad, with the team’s medical staff suggesting it will be touch and go for the player to be ready in time for their Group A game against Uruguay in Ekaterinburg on June 15.
“Salah is in a stage of recovery not just for treatment on his shoulder,” Cuper added. “We need to improve his demeanour and his fitness level because the injury has prevented him from training as a normal player.
“But we have very good news from our doctor, we hope he will be with us before Uruguay. We are optimists and we are waiting for him.”
The idea of not being dependant on one player, especially one who is a big fitness doubt, is obviously no bad idea. However, stats illustrate that when it comes to Egypt and Salah, that may be much harder to put in to practice than say.
During qualification the national hero had a hand in all seven of the Pharaohs’ goals — scoring five and setting up the other two. In Egypt the hero worship stems as much from his international displays —
especially his crucial brace against the Congo which secured qualification to Russia — as from his
sensational performances for
Liverpool last season.
Salah, who netted 44 goals in an incredible first season for the Reds after joining from AS Roma, was voted Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association last month, becoming the first African to win the prestigious award. That gong came on the back of a host of other awards, including the PFA Player of the Year and African Player of the Year.
Egypt told they cannot rely on Mohamed Salah in Russia
Egypt told they cannot rely on Mohamed Salah in Russia
- Cuper confident main man Salah will be fit to play at the tournament
- The coach, however, does not want The Pharaohs to assume Salah is the be-all and end-all of the side's campaign.
Top Saudi teams set for ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 finals
- Leading esports teams feature in competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s leading esports teams will go head-to-head later this week as the ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 reaches its decisive stages, underlining the Kingdom’s growing ambition to develop local talent and strengthen its professional gaming ecosystem.
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the tournament is designed to provide Saudi players with a clear pathway into elite-level competition while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for gaming and esports.
The online phase of the Overwatch 2 competition took place on Jan. 23-24, with the action set to culminate in a live LAN final on Jan. 30 at EFG Studios in Riyadh.
The competition features a total prize pool of $20,000, offering a significant incentive for emerging Saudi esports talent and reflecting the rising professionalism of the Kingdom’s national scene.
The lineup for the second stage has now been confirmed, blending established names with ambitious newcomers. Defending champions Twisted Minds return to defend their title against Kurohana, Newgens, and Lunar Crew, who secured their places through the qualification rounds. With only three teams progressing to the finals, the stakes remain high on the national stage.
Franck Guignery, senior vice president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa at EFG, said: “The ESL Saudi Challenge represents an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to the Saudi esports community.
“Through this competition we aim to empower Saudi players to refine their skills and demonstrate their potential within a high-stakes, professional environment, while contributing meaningfully to the development of a sustainable ecosystem that enables local talent to progress from national competition to global stages.”
The ESL Saudi Challenge aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, supporting talent development and the long-term growth of the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sector.
Positioned as a Saudi-focused competitive platform, the tournament forms part of EFG’s long-term approach to reinforcing professional standards, enabling talent progression, and fostering community-driven competition.
Through initiatives such as the ESL Saudi Challenge, EFG aims to ensure that Saudi esports talent is equipped to compete successfully not only at home, but also on regional and international stages.
