Mohamed Salah was once again the man for Egypt as they booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Djibouti on Wednesday night at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.
Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring for the Pharaohs before Salah doubled their lead just seven minutes later. The Liverpool forward then completed his brace in the 84th minute with a sublime volleyed finish, ensuring a comfortable win for Egypt and sending their fans into celebrations.
Under head coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt have dominated their qualifying group, combining defensive solidity with attacking flair. The North Africans remain unbeaten in the campaign, recording seven wins and two draws, including a recent 2-0 victory over Ethiopia and a goalless draw against Burkina Faso.
With this win, Egypt tops Group A with 23 points, five clear of second-placed Burkina Faso, guaranteeing their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Their final qualifier against Guinea-Bissau in Cairo on Sunday will now serve more as a celebration than a contest, giving the Pharaohs an opportunity to mark a long-awaited return to the global stage in front of their home fans.
Salah, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, showcased why he remains Egypt’s talisman despite a quiet start to his season at Liverpool. The 33-year-old has managed just three goals in nine Premier League appearances this season, a far cry from last term, when he netted 29 times in 38 league games to win the Golden Boot as Liverpool clinched a record-equalling 20th Premier League title.
For Egypt, however, Salah’s presence remains vital. He made it 2-0 on the quarter-hour mark with a close-range finish and then sealed the win with a brilliant lobbed volley late in the game. His double ensures that he will represent Egypt at a second World Cup, following their 2018 appearance, where he scored twice in the group stage.
Salah also reached another historic milestone on Wednesday, surpassing Ronaldo Nazario and Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 63 international goals, while also becoming the all-time top scorer in African World Cup qualifiers with 20 goals, overtaking Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o.
His impact extends beyond statistics. Salah received a hero’s welcome in Cairo ahead of the decisive qualifiers, with fans and schoolchildren chanting his name at the airport, waving flags, and holding up signs in tribute to their star. The Egyptian Football Association lauded his dedication and global stature, stating: “You are the best in every language, and one step to the dream.”
For Liverpool supporters, Salah’s exploits for his country offer a glimmer of hope that his club form could soon return. A revitalised forward for Egypt could reignite his touch at Anfield, ending a recent goal drought and restoring the prolific scoring form that helped the Reds to last season’s successes.
With this achievement, Salah joins the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Alisson, and Wataru Endo players who have also guided their nations to qualification for major tournaments
Egypt now look ahead to the World Cup with optimism, led by their talisman Salah, who continues to carry the hopes of a nation. After a 28-year absence before 2018, the Pharaohs are back on football’s biggest stage.
