World Cup 2026: We hope Mohamed Salah’s injury is not serious – Egypt coach Hossam Hassan

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has confirmed that Mohamed Salah was withdrawn during the 1-1 draw with Iran due to a suspected hamstring problem, easing immediate concerns while raising uncertainty over the forward’s fitness ahead of the knockout stage.

The result in Seattle was enough to send Egypt through to the last 32 of the World Cup, but the evening was overshadowed by the late substitution of their captain just before the hour mark. Salah, 34, was replaced by Zizo in a decision that initially appeared tactical before later developments pointed to injury.

Mahmoud Saber had given Egypt a bright start after capitalising on an error from Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Iran responded quickly through Ramin Rezaeian in the 14th minute, while Mehdi Taremi saw a penalty saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir.

Iran thought they had snatched victory in stoppage time when Shoja Khalilzadeh bundled the ball into an empty net following a scramble in the box, only for the effort to be ruled out by VAR—leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.

Attention, however, shifted to Salah after he was later seen with ice strapped to his left hamstring. Speaking after the match, Hassan said the forward had signalled discomfort before being taken off.

“Salah asked to be replaced, but we still don’t know the diagnosis,” Hassan said, according to Al-Ahram. “Since he felt something, it means there is something. He will undergo scans and we hope for the best.”

The coach added that initial conversations with the player offered cautious reassurance.

“I talked to Salah, and he said he’s going to be okay, and it’s not a big injury. We still have time to talk to the medical staff. I think he will be back,” he said.

Despite the draw, Egypt finished as Group G runners-up after Belgium’s 5-1 victory over New Zealand in the other fixture, setting up a Round of 32 meeting with Australia.