Mohamed Salah given injury update lifeline by Egypt coach ahead of Australia showdown

Mohamed Salah has been offered a promising injury update by Egypt national team coach Hossam Hassan, as the Pharaohs prepare to face Australia.

The former Liverpool legend has enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign, after enduring an abysmal club season under recently departed coach Arne Slot with the Reds in 2025/26.

Salah opened his World Cup account with an assist in Egypt's opening 1-1 draw vs Belgium, then followed the performance with a goal, an assist and the Man of the Match award against New Zealand in the Pharaohs' second game of the tournament.

That 3-1 victory was the first in Egypt's history at the World Cup, having qualified just three times for the competition, despite holding the most Africa Cup of Nations trophies of any side in that tournament's history.

Both results were enough to secure qualification for the Pharaohs to the Round of 32, now braced to play Australia this evening at 7pm BST, however, the mood in the Egyptian camp was dampened after Salah was withdrawn due to injury in their final group stage clash vs Iran.

The ex-Reds legend suffered injury woes at the end of last season, entering a race against time to play in his Anfield farewell, which he won, assisting Curtis Jones in a 1-1 draw during his final game for the Premier League side.

Salah was seen on the bench vs Iran with ice strapped to his left leg, and, despite reports that he would play against Australia even if it was through injury, his coach Hossam Hassan has offered a promising update — after telling reporters he would not allow the Pharaohs' captain to start the game if he wasn't fully certain of his fitness.

Mohamed Salah offered promising injury update by Egypt manager Hossam Hassan, ahead of Australia face-off

Hassan is not just manager of the Egyptian national team, he is also the country's highest ever goal-scorer with 69 strikes for the Pharaohs — a total that Salah is now just one goal off of equalling.

Speaking with beIN SPORTS, Hassan said: "I will tell you that Salah is part of the team. We are surprised as well; the most important thing is that Salah has been involved in an intensive treatment with medical equipment.

"People who worked hard today, they did their best, and Salah had passion for working. He was involved in his first team training session [since Iran] yesterday.

"Today, he joined our last exercise session, and he is doing very well. I hope that he will be ready and start his fight," concluded the Pharaohs boss.

Elsewhere, Australia boss Tony Popovic was quizzed by reporters on Salah's possible absence, and possible involvement, with the 52-year-old confessing that his national side are well-prepared for both outcomes regarding the Egyptian's starter status.

"I’m expecting the game to be even more difficult than what we’ve had so far, in terms of because it is a knockout game, and respect to Egypt as well," said Popovic.

“But I also feel that we can play better. And tomorrow’s a chance to do that... if we perform very well, we have a chance to make history."

On Salah being in the starting line-up for the Pharaohs, or on the bench, the 52-year-old said: "We have prepared for both scenarios."