Egypt’s captain, Mohamed Salah, showcased sensational form as the Pharaohs dominated Djibouti with a commanding 6-0 victory in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers held at Cairo Stadium on Thursday.
Merely two minutes afterward, Omar Kamal was subjected to a foul within the penalty area, leading to a penalty that Salah adeptly converted, thereby increasing Egypt’s lead.
Following the halftime interval, Salah achieved a hat trick in the 48th minute, serenely guiding the ball into an unguarded net courtesy of a splendid cross from Ahmed Fatouh.
The standout from Liverpool subsequently secured his fourth goal with a pinpoint shot from inside the penalty area, catching the goalkeeper by surprise.
Salah’s outstanding four-goal display signaled a remarkable beginning for Egypt in their qualifying campaign. The Liverpool forward swiftly left his mark, initiating the scoring in the 17th minute by effortlessly converting a precisely placed cross from Mostafa Mohamed.
Despite squandering numerous opportunities during the match, Mostafa Mohamed, the striker for FC Nantes, eventually made a mark on the scoreline by netting Egypt’s fifth goal in the 74th minute, capitalizing on a rebounded shot.
Securing this triumph has elevated Egypt to the summit of the Group, amassing three points. Their upcoming match on Sunday will see them confront Sierra Leone on the road.
For the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Egypt finds itself placed in Group A, alongside Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.
The rout was sealed by substitute winger Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan, who unleashed a superb curling shot from inside the area.
The Pharaohs delivered a commanding performance against their underdog opponents, who struggled to launch a single attack throughout the entire 90 minutes of the match.
