The celebrations in Cairo were loud, proud, and full of joy as Egypt secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Pharaohs sealed their qualification with a narrow 1–0 win over Guinea-Bissau at the Cairo International Stadium, wrapping up an unbeaten campaign.
But the spotlight wasn’t on the pitch this time — it was in the stands. Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s captain and superstar, watched the match from the sidelines with his wife, smiling as the crowd sang his name.
The Liverpool forward was rested for the game after Egypt had already booked their ticket to the World Cup, but his presence was still felt across the stadium.
Fans waved flags, sang songs, and chanted “Salah! Salah!” throughout the night. The energy was electric. Even without playing a minute, the Egyptian King stole the show.
Videos shared online show Salah laughing, clapping, and embracing teammates after the final whistle — a celebration fit for a national hero.
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Egyptian King watching his kingdom celebrate
Egypt’s 1–0 victory came through Mohamed Hamdy, who scored his first international goal in the 10th minute with a fine header. The win meant Egypt finished top of Group A with 26 points — unbeaten across all ten games.
It’s another historic milestone for Salah, who has now led Egypt to two straight World Cups as captain, something no other Egyptian footballer has ever achieved.
From his early days in Nagrig to becoming his nation’s footballing heartbeat, Salah’s journey is a true football fairytale.
Though he sat out the match, Salah’s impact on the qualification campaign cannot be understated. His goals, leadership, and consistency were key to Egypt’s success.
The 33-year-old scored twice in the 3–0 win over Djibouti earlier this month — the very match that sealed Egypt’s qualification.
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Mohamed Salah’s record for Egypt so far
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup Qualification (Africa) | 29 | 20 | 12 | 2,579′ |
| Africa Cup of Nations Qualification | 28 | 20 | 9 | 2,465′ |
| Africa Cup of Nations | 19 | 7 | 4 | 1,795′ |
| International Friendlies | 28 | 12 | 9 | 2,150′ |
| World Cup Finals | 2 | 2 | 0 | 180′ |
| Total | 106 | 61 | 34 | 9,169′ |
As Egypt prepare for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, Salah now carries the hopes of millions once again. Egypt have never won a match at a World Cup, but with Salah leading the line, fans believe this could finally change.
And after seeing how he celebrated qualification, one thing’s for sure — the King of Egypt is ready for one more royal performance on the world’s biggest stage.