Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan said Mohamed Salah will be okay after the forward suffered a left-knee injury during a World Cup match.
The status of Salah is critical for Egypt's tournament progression, as the 34-year-old [3] remains the focal point of the national team's offense.
Salah left the pitch during a group-stage match against Iran on Friday night, June 23, 2026 [1]. The game ended in a 1-1 draw [2]. According to reports, Salah was withdrawn in the 57th minute [4] after limping off the field.
Following the match, Hassan said to the media regarding the condition of his star player. "He's going to be ok," Hassan said [5].
The coach said that the player is currently undergoing evaluation. "I talked to Salah and he said he feels fine and will be assessed by the medical staff," Hassan said [6].
While the coaching staff remains optimistic, some reports have suggested a more precarious outlook. The Sun reported that the injury could potentially end Salah's World Cup campaign [7]. However, the team's medical staff continues to assess the damage to the left knee to determine the exact recovery timeline.
Egypt now faces a race against time to ensure their primary attacker is fit for upcoming fixtures. The team's performance in the group stage depends heavily on the availability of their most experienced player, a factor that will be clarified once the medical assessments are complete.
“"He's going to be ok."”
The contradiction between the coach's optimism and external reports of a potential tournament-ending injury highlights the high stakes of the 2026 World Cup. Because Egypt relies heavily on Salah's individual brilliance, any prolonged absence would force a significant tactical shift in their approach to the group stage.
