World Cup 2026 LIVE: Curacao goalkeeper makes history, Egypt coach denies Salah rift, another team crashes out
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room broke the record for the most saves in a 90-minute match as Curacao held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw
By Jamie Braidwood
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dismissed talk of unrest involving talisman Mohamed Salah, insisting there were no issues within the squad as they prepare to face New Zealand in their crucial World Cup Group G match at BC Place.
Salah, 34, scored nine goals in the qualifying campaign and provided an assist for Emam Ashour in their opener with Belgium. But he was substituted in the 76th minute of that 1-1 draw in Seattle, with highly-rated teenager Hamza Abdelkarim coming on.
"Salah is an important player for our squad, and the 26 players who are here with me are very important," Hassan told reporters. "Every player who has worked with me knows I deal with them in a professional manner. I do not have favourites.
"Salah is a great player who helps his teammates. He has a lot of discipline and is a role model.
"If he starts ... or if he gets substituted, it's fine. It is his role as a player. Everyone knows that I am working for the benefit of the team and the national side.
"Rumours are being spread about stars, about players, about teams. But Salah is someone who is very disciplined," he added.
"He trains with us. He's the first player that would also say yes to my decisions as a technical director. So I think he will be very positive tomorrow."