Salah fitness race in focus for Egypt ahead of Australia clash

Mohamed Salah remains ⁠in a race to be ready for Egypt’s last 32 clash with Australia in Dallas ​on Friday with the forward ​continuing his recovery from a hamstring strain sustained in the 1-1 draw with Iran.
The Egyptians are in the knockout rounds for the first time after group phase eliminations in 1990 and 2018 and Salah’s availability is a key concern for coach Hossam Hassan ahead of the clash with Tony Popovic’s side.
A video of ⁠Salah working out in the gym away from team mates on the training pitch ⁠was posted on social media on Wednesday, suggesting the 34-year-old could be fit enough to play a part at Dallas Stadium.
“The road back begins,” said the latest post, “and the King is coming back stronger.”
The ‌draw with the Iranians booked Egypt’s place in ​the last 32 as runners-up ⁠in Group G after a win over New Zealand and an ​opening stalemate with Belgium.
Salah’s stellar talent ‌and reputation have been a focal point in the lead-up to the game for the Australians, who are attempting to win ​in the knockout rounds for the first time.
The Socceroos have moved past the group phase for the third time in their history and for a second World Cup in a row having been knocked out in Qatar in 2022 by eventual winners Argentina in the last 16 under former ‌coach Graham Arnold.
Popovic’s side started their 2026 campaign with a win over Turkey before ​losing 2-0 to the United States and drawing 0-0 with Paraguay to finish second in ​Group ‌D.
The ⁠prospect - or otherwise - of facing Salah has dominated the build-up but full back Jordan Bos stressed the Australians would not be overawed if they do face the Premier League and ​Champions League winner.
“Maybe off the field there’s some respect, but on ⁠the field ​there’s no respect,” Bos said. “It’s eat or be eaten. That’s how everyone’s going to go into the game, and that’s how I’ll go into the game.
“Mo Salah is a top player. He’s been at the top for a very long time. We’ll definitely have to ​look at how we can stop him and Egypt.
“We’ve already done a ​little bit about that, and it’s just fine-tuning and seeing what the coach and the staff have in mind to help us with that.” — Reuters