Salah promises fresh start after Egypt's heartbreaking elimination by Argentina

Mohamed Salah broke his silence two days after Egypt’s elimination by Argentina (3-2) in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, promising on social media that this defeat would mark “a fresh start for Egyptian football on the world stage”.

The Pharaohs had thought they had pulled off the upset: trailing 2-0 until the 79th minute against the defending world champions, they suffered the awakening of Lionel Messi and his teammates, who turned the match around in less than a quarter of an hour. Several Egyptian players and the manager denounced the refereeing of François Letexier, deemed biased, following the match played in Atlanta.

Salah, who had shed some tears on the pitch at the end of the match, chose to look ahead. “I know you are still angry, but I promise you that I will do everything in my power to ensure that this is a fresh start for Egyptian football on the world stage,” he wrote. “Qualifying for the World Cup will not be enough, and participating will not be either. This team deserves your trust.”

The message takes on particular resonance given the Pharaohs’ historic run in this World Cup. It was only their fourth World Cup appearance, and the first time they had advanced past the group stage — they had eliminated Australia on penalties in the round of 16 before facing Argentina. For a country capable of winning the Africa Cup of Nations seven times, an absolute record, the gap between continental prestige and absence on the world stage had long struck observers.

Captain and top scorer for the national team with 68 goals in 121 appearances, the 34-year-old Salah seems intent on extending his international adventure. His message leaves little room for doubt about his intentions to continue with the Pharaohs. On the club front, however, the left-winger will have to leave Liverpool this summer to join the Saudi league or MLS.