Australia vs Egypt lineups: Predicted XIs, confirmed team news, injury latest for World Cup 2026 today | OneFootball

Mohamed Salah’s starting place for Pharaohs in question following hamstring issue

Mohamed Salah will be involved in Egypt’s World Cup 2026 round-of-32 clash with Australia today, though he may not start the game.

Liverpool icon Salah was among a number of Pharaohs players needing to be assessed after he sustained a hamstring strain during the 1-1 draw with Iran in Group G.

The Egypt captain was subject to an “intensive rehabilitation program” and has since returned to partial team training.

And while Salah is fit enough to be involved against Australia, it remains to be seen if he is ready to feature from the off.

"Against Iran, we learned that he suffered a hamstring strain during the second half of the match and asked to be substituted," Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said during his pre-match press conference.

"Our very distinguished medical department took care of that, and we tried to introduce him to partial team training as of yesterday only.

Injury battle: Egypt captain and talisman Mohamed Salah has been dealing with a hamstring problem

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"But of course, I am not going to run any risk unless I am sure that he is 100 per cent sure of the fact that he is fit and raring to go tomorrow.

"We look forward to him playing tomorrow, not sure though whether he is going to be in the starting lineup."

Hamdy Fathy (groin), Hossam Abdelmaguid (head) and Mohamed Abdelmonem (ankle) were also being monitored, while Ahmed Fatouh has been ruled out with his own hamstring injury.

Egypt will definitely be without midfielder Mohanad Lasheen, who is suspended after receiving his second yellow card of the tournament against Iran. His absence means Hassan is expected to make at least one change to his starting lineup.

Australia will be without Jacob Italiano and Mathew Leckie.

Italiano remains sidelined with a groin problem, while Leckie continues to recover from a hamstring injury, leaving the pair unavailable for the Socceroos.

Head coach Tony Popovic is expected to keep faith with much of the side that drew with Paraguay to round off Group D. Highly-rated centre-back Lucas Herrington is set to retain his place in defence after another composed performance.

Watford’s Nestory Irankunda is expected to lead the attack. The 20-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to his international career, scoring six goals in 18 appearances.

He has already found the net once at this summer's World Cup and will again be one of Australia's main threats going forward.

Predicted Australia XI: Beach; Circati, Souttar, Herrington; Bos, O'Neill, Irvine, Behich; Volpato, Irankunda, Metcalfe