Egypt national team manager Hossam Hassan confirmed that Mohamed Salah requested to be substituted during the match against Iran after feeling sudden pain, which prevented him from finishing the final 2026 World Cup group-stage fixture.
Egyptian King Disappointed After Unexpected Early Substitution
Fans and pundits were left stunned when “The General” decided to sub Salah off in the 56th minute. The “Egyptian King” looked visibly frustrated as he walked off the pitch, especially since he was actively searching for his third goal in this World Cup tournament.
Speaking in the post-match press conference following the 1-1 draw, Hossam Hassan clarified the situation, stating: “We still need to assess Mohamed Salah’s medical condition, but he was the one who personally requested the substitution.”
Egypt Facing Injury Crisis Ahead of Crucial Australia Clash
Hassan also highlighted several squad challenges ahead of the knockout stages: “We are dealing with some difficult circumstances. Ahmed Fatouh is also injured and requires medical monitoring, and Mohanad Lasheen will officially miss the next match due to card accumulation.”
He continued: “I hope Hamdi Fathi has fully recovered and that the injury he sustained in the previous match has improved.”
Despite the setback, the manager remained defiant: “I am not worried, and I urge everyone to remain optimistic. I do not fear any shortages in the squad. I have absolute confidence in all my players; they are all performing at the highest level.”
What’s Next? Egypt will lock horns with Australia next Friday in Dallas for the Round of 32. Should the Pharaohs emerge victorious, they will face the winner of the Argentina vs. Cape Verde clash in the Round of 16.
