Egypt’s World Cup hopes still orbit Salah — and 2026 could define his international legacy

Mohamed Salah remains Egypt’s centerpiece heading into the 2026 World Cup qualifying run, even as questions persist about his consistency in a national-team shirt. With fitness a recurring storyline and pressure mounting on a new generation to deliver, Egypt’s path may hinge on whether “King Salah” can translate club-level dominance into a defining tournament moment.