Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is the Egypt captain heading into the 2026 World Cup. The Liverpool right winger is 33 at kick-off, with 115 senior Egypt caps and 67 international goals on his record. He was named in Hossam Hassan's preliminary 27-man squad on 21 May 2026, with the final 26 due by 2 June and the captain's armband confirmed.

Egypt face Belgium, Iran and New Zealand in Group G, opening against Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle on 15 June. Egypt won CAF Group A on 8 October 2025, conceding only two goals across the ten qualifying matches. Salah is the senior attacker of the side, with the right-flank role and set-piece duties carrying through into the tournament.

Salah is one of the greatest wingers of his generation. Speed, dribbling, clinical finishing and movement around the box define his game, with agility, first touch and ball control underpinning the creator-finisher profile. He plays primarily on the right flank, cutting onto his stronger left foot to shoot or run in behind.

Free-kicks and penalties are part of his Egypt brief. Hossam Hassan's 4-3-3 saw Egypt qualify unbeaten through CAF Group A, conceding only two goals in ten matches. The captain's 115 caps and 67 international goals carry the senior attacking weight into Group G.

Egypt sit in Tier 4 at £10m within the game's £200m card budget. The Group G draw — Belgium, Iran and New Zealand — frames the early fixture window for Hossam Hassan's 4-3-3.

Salah gives Egypt's £10m pick its direct attacking edge: 67 international goals, the captain's armband, and free-kicks and penalties for the right winger. The £10m slot pays off through individual contributions inside that 4-3-3, not from a deep squad of scoring options.