Salah a doubt as Egypt and Australia meet in the last 32
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah faces a late fitness test on a hamstring problem before Friday’s round-of-32 tie with Australia in Dallas, a meeting of two nations chasing rare knockout success.
Jul 2, 2026
Two teams who almost never win World Cup knockout games meet in Dallas on Friday, and the biggest question hanging over the tie is whether the best player on either side will be fit to play it. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah limped out of the group-stage draw with Iran clutching his hamstring, and his availability against Australia will come down to a late fitness check. For anyone watching in India, kick-off at Dallas Stadium is 11.30pm IST.
Egypt in new territory, but sweating on Salah
Simply reaching this round is a landmark for Egypt. This is the first time they have gone beyond the group phase at a World Cup, having finished second in Group G on the back of their first ever win at the tournament, wrapped either side by two draws. The worry is that they may have to navigate the biggest match in that history without their talisman. Salah asked to come off in the second half against Iran, and coach Hossam Hassan has since said the Liverpool forward will be assessed as late as possible before kick-off.
If Salah cannot start, Egypt lose not just their finest player but the one who drags defenders out of shape and turns half-chances into goals. Hassan will settle for having him fit enough to make an impact off the bench.
Australia’s young side smell an opening
Australia come in as Group D runners-up, having announced themselves by beating Turkey 2-0 through Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, before a 2-0 loss to hosts the United States and a battling goalless draw with Paraguay that sealed their spot. This is a notably young Socceroos group, and they will look at this draw and fancy it.
History is not on their side either, mind. Australia have never won a knockout match at a World Cup, beaten by Italy in 2006 and by eventual champions Argentina in 2022. A tie against an Egypt side missing or nursing a half-fit Salah is about as inviting a route to that elusive first win as they could have hoped for.
The shape of the tie
So much of it rests on that fitness call. A fully firing Salah makes Egypt clear favourites; a Salah on the bench, or chasing the game on one leg, nudges it toward Australia’s energy and legs. Whoever wins will record a first World Cup knockout victory, something neither nation has ever managed, and move into the last 16.