Injuries, suspensions, and the Haitham Hassan crisis… 5 files troubling Egypt before the battle with Australia

The Egyptian national team is racing against time to solve a number of technical and physical crises before facing Australia in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup next Friday, in a match during which the Pharaohs seek to continue their historic achievement after reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in the history of their participation in the tournament.

The injury file is at the top of the priorities of the technical staff led by Hossam Hassan, after more than one player suffered various injuries during the last confrontation with Iran, led by the national team captain Mohamed Salah, who complained of pain in the back muscle and left the field ten minutes after the start of the second half.

“Salah” is undergoing an intensive treatment program under the supervision of the medical team, which seeks to prepare him before facing Australia, in light of the great importance that the national team’s top scorer represents on the front line, while his final position will be decided according to his response to treatment during the next 24 hours.

On the other hand, the absence of left-back Ahmed Fatohi was confirmed after suffering a tear in the posterior muscle, while defender Mohamed Abdel Moneim continues his treatment program due to a similar injury, so that the pressure on the back line continues before facing one of the teams most dependent on physical strength and aerial balls.

The technical staff’s calculations do not stop at injuries, as the absence of midfielder Muhannad Lashin, who was suspended after accumulating yellow cards, poses an additional challenge for coach Hossam Hassan, who is studying more than one option to fill the void in the midfield.

The first option is to return Hamdi Fathi to the position of defensive player, with a modification in the defense line, while the second option is to bring in the young player Mahmoud Saber, with Hamdi Fathi continuing in the heart of the defense alongside Yasser Ibrahim, in order to preserve the stability that appeared in previous matches.

At the same time, the technical and administrative staff of the Egyptian national team is seeking to contain a state of dissatisfaction within the camp after the controversy raised by right-back Haitham Hassan, after he changed his personal photo on his account to a black photo, in a move that followers linked to his not participating in any minute during the Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran matches.

The administrative staff is trying to end the file quickly, fearing its impact on the team’s atmosphere, at a time when the technical staff confirms that all players represent part of its accounts during the next stage.