Salah Suffers Left Knee Injury in Egypt's 1-1 Iran Draw as Hassan Expects Return

Q: With Salah's World Cup in doubt, is Egypt's historic knockout stage dream already over?

No. Egypt’s historic knockout-stage dream is still alive because they have already achieved it by reaching the Round of 32 for the first time in the expanded World Cup. What is now in doubt is how far they can go without Mohamed Salah. If he misses the July 3 match against Australia, it would be a major setback. Salah has been central to Egypt’s run, with one goal and two assists in the tournament, and he remains the team’s main attacking reference alongside Omar Marmoush. Coach Hossam Hassan has said Salah told him the injury was “not a big injury,” but the medical staff is still assessing the left knee problem and further scans are planned. That uncertainty matters because Egypt are not a deep attacking side in the way top contenders are. Salah’s absence would reduce their cutting edge, their ability to hold the ball high up the pitch, and their threat in transition. Even so, Egypt are not facing an unbeatable opponent. Australia are competitive and organized, but they are not among the tournament favorites, and Egypt have already shown they can navigate pressure by finishing second in Group G with five points. So Egypt’s dream is not over; it has entered a more difficult phase. If Salah is fit, Egypt’s chances of reaching the last 16 rise sharply. If he is out, they become underdogs against Australia, but not hopeless ones.

Q: Is Salah's injury the first major casualty of the new, expanded 48-team World Cup format?

No. Salah’s knee injury does not appear to be the first major casualty of the 2026 World Cup’s new 48-team format. The immediate facts are still limited: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said Salah came off against Iran with a left knee problem, but the player himself told staff it was “not a big injury,” and scans were still pending. At this stage, there is no confirmation that he will miss Egypt’s Round of 32 match against Australia, let alone the rest of the tournament. More importantly, there is no evidence that Salah is the first significant injury case tied to the expanded format itself. The broader reporting points to several high-profile players already ruled out of or seriously affected ahead of the tournament by major injuries, including Rodrygo, Serge Gnabry, Hugo Ekitike and others. Those cases were more severe and, in some instances, definitive tournament absences. What can fairly be said is that Salah would be one of the most prominent in-tournament injury scares so far, given his status and Egypt’s reliance on him. If scans show a serious knee injury and he misses the knockout stage, it would become one of the biggest player setbacks of this World Cup. But based on the available information, calling him the first major casualty of the expanded 48-team format would be premature and unsupported.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 27

Mohamed Salah went off in the 57th minute of Egypt's 1-1 World Cup draw with Iran because of a left knee injury, putting his status for the knockout round in doubt.
Hossam Hassan said Egypt's medical staff is assessing Salah and will examine him again at the team hotel, though the coach said the forward told him the injury is not serious.
Australia awaits Egypt next Friday in the knockout stage, making Salah's fitness a major concern for a team that has already advanced beyond the group phase.
Salah, 34, has been central to Egypt's run, scoring his 68th international goal in a 3-1 win over New Zealand and adding two assists in the tournament.