Casablanca — Egypt have booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after easing past Djibouti 3–0 on Wednesday night, sealing qualification with a game to spare.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah struck twice in a commanding display, reminding critics of his enduring class as the Pharaohs clinched top spot in Group A.
The match, played in neutral Casablanca, was settled early. Ibrahim Adel headed in Zizo’s pinpoint cross in the eighth minute, before Salah coolly slotted home from Trezeguet’s through ball six minutes later.
Salah’s recent form at club level had been under scrutiny, but there was no sign of hesitation as he led from the front. The 32-year-old went close again before half-time, his cross diverted onto the post by striker Mostafa Mohamed.
The second half started slow, but Salah added a touch of brilliance late on, lobbing home first-time inside the box to make it 3–0.
The result cements Egypt’s return to football’s biggest stage, joining North African neighbours Morocco and Tunisia among the early African qualifiers. It will be Egypt’s fourth World Cup appearance after 1934, 1990, and 2018.
“This team has grown stronger with every match,” said head coach Hossam Hassan after the win. “We’re proud to represent Egypt and to see our people happy again.”
Elsewhere in Group A, Burkina Faso edged Sierra Leone 1–0 to finish second, still in contention for a play-off spot as one of the best runners-up.
In other African qualifiers, Cape Verde’s dream of a first-ever World Cup berth remains alive after a thrilling 3–3 draw with Libya, while Zambia and Niger both registered wins to keep slim hopes alive. Algeria, meanwhile, could become the next African nation to secure their ticket if they defeat Somalia on Thursday.
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