Mohamed Salah's World Cup run lifts Egypt into new territory

ISLAMABAD: Mohamed Salah has helped carry Egypt into the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time, in a campaign that has also renewed discussion about how his legacy is viewed beyond his home country.

Writing about Egypt’s run at the tournament in the United States, the Pharaohs had never previously won a World Cup match or reached the knockout rounds. That changed with a 3-1 win over New Zealand, followed by draws against Belgium and Iran, which sent Egypt through unbeaten to the last 32.

Salah has been central to that progress. Head coach Hossam Hassan has used the 34-year-old in a freer and more central attacking role, with the forward contributing through goals and chance creation as Egypt produced the best World Cup campaign in their history.

Historic step for Egypt

Egypt will face Australia in Dallas in the round of 32, marking the first knockout match the country has played at a World Cup. It described the occasion as another major international moment for Salah, whose standing in Egyptian football has long been secure.

Before this tournament, Egypt had spent much of their history on the margins of the World Cup. The team had been absent from the competition for nearly three decades before Salah scored a stoppage-time penalty against Congo in 2017 to seal qualification for the finals for the first time since Italia ’90. Egypt were then unable to advance in Russia and did not qualify for Qatar 2022.

In qualifying for the current World Cup, Salah again played a leading role, scoring nine goals and providing three assists as Egypt returned to the global stage. This time, the team have gone further by moving beyond the group phase and into a knockout tie for the first time.

Club success and wider recognition

The report also placed the World Cup run in the context of Salah’s club career. He left Liverpool this summer after nine years, during which he won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and two League Cups while setting scoring records and establishing himself among the club’s finest players.

Despite those achievements, the article argued that Salah has not always been placed at the centre of wider global debates about the defining footballers of the era. Part of that was due to the period in which he played, with his peak overlapping with the latter stages of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance, while international honours also strengthened the standing of players such as Luka Modric and Messi.

Representing Egypt meant fewer opportunities to compete for the biggest international prizes and fewer chances for global audiences to watch Salah deep into major tournaments. That, it suggested, is what makes the current World Cup different for both the player and his reputation beyond Egypt.

Symbol beyond the pitch

Dawn also highlighted Salah’s significance as a footballer from Nagrig in Egypt’s Nile Delta who became the face of one of England’s biggest clubs. His rise challenged assumptions about who could occupy the sport’s highest levels, particularly as an Egyptian, Arab and African player succeeding in the Premier League while remaining publicly connected to his identity and country.

Across North Africa and the Middle East, Salah became a symbol that a player from the region could reach the top of the English game without distancing himself from where he came from. It also pointed to scenes after Egypt secured qualification for the knockout phase, when Salah celebrated with teammates and supporters in what it described as a rare public release after years of carrying national expectations.

Whether Egypt’s tournament continues or ends against Australia, Salah has already secured his place in his country’s football history. The remaining question, it added, is whether this World Cup run will lead to broader recognition of his stature in the global game.