Salah faces hamstring scans at World Cup as Egypt sweat on captain before Australia clash

Mohamed Salah is facing a race against time to be fit for Egypt’s World Cup last-32 tie against Australia after being withdrawn at half-time of the second half during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Iran, with the Egyptian FA confirming the Liverpool forward will undergo scans on a hamstring complaint.

Salah, 34, was replaced by Mostafa Zico in the 57th minute, prompting an immediate injury update from the Egyptian Football Association on X. Technical director Hossam Hassan confirmed that Salah had complained of hamstring pain during the match, and that left-back Ahmed Fotouh had also felt hamstring discomfort, while defender Mohamed Abdelmonem sustained an ankle bruise. All three are scheduled to undergo X-rays and medical examinations under team doctor Mohamed Aboul Ela to assess their conditions and determine a recovery programme.

The timing is a significant blow for Egypt, who have relied heavily on their captain to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history. Salah scored his 68th international goal in a 3-1 win over New Zealand in the group stage and contributed two assists across the tournament, helping the Pharaohs advance to the last 32.

Salah’s injury concern arrives against a complicated backdrop off the pitch. The four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner is set to leave Liverpool as a free agent on 1 July after nine years at Anfield, and speculation over his next club has intensified during the tournament. Turkish businessman Torunogullari claimed earlier in June that Salah had been keen on a move to Fenerbahce, saying meetings had been “extremely positive” and that common ground had been established on salary.

Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, pushed back on those claims in a post on X, insisting no decision had been made. “Mohamed is doing perfectly fine and neither he nor I prefer to discuss sensitive future plans with people not involved in them,” Abbas wrote. “Both he and I are very private about these things.”

Egypt face Australia in the last 32 next Friday, with Salah’s participation now dependent on the results of his medical assessments in the coming days.