Salah eyes Egypt scoring record as Socceroos face last-32 test in Texas

Australia have kept faith with the same starting eleven that took them past Paraguay as they face Egypt in a World Cup 2026 last-32 tie in Arlington, Texas, with Mohamed Salah leading the line for the Pharaohs and closing in on a piece of Egyptian football history.

The knockout clash kicked off at 1pm local time, which translated to 7pm in the UK, as both nations looked to book their place in the last 16 at the tournament being co-hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Popovic sticks with winning formula

Socceroos boss Tony Popovic opted for continuity, naming an unchanged side from the win over Paraguay that carried Australia into the knockout rounds. Nestory Irankunda was again handed the responsibility of spearheading the Australian attack, while Jordan Bos continued in his role on the right of the side.

The match was staged at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, one of the tournament’s showpiece venues, with the roof helping to generate a raucous atmosphere for supporters who had made the journey, or stayed up through the night back home in Australia given the early hours kick-off there.

Salah chasing Egypt’s all-time record

All eyes were on Egypt captain Mohamed Salah, who started the last-32 tie having racked up 119 caps for his country. The Liverpool forward went into the match on 68 international goals for the Pharaohs, meaning a strike against Australia would draw him level with the national record of 69 held by his own head coach, Hossam Hassan.

Hassan, now in charge of the Egypt side, reached his total of 69 goals across 177 appearances during his own playing career, a mark Salah has the chance to match in fewer than 120 caps should he find the net in Texas.

The 34-year-old’s continued influence at this level, both as a player and as captain, has made him the focal point of Egypt’s hopes of reaching the last 16, with his side needing a positive result to keep their World Cup campaign alive.

A knockout tie with plenty riding on it

For Australia, victory would represent another notable landmark in what has already been a memorable World Cup campaign, with Popovic’s side aiming to progress beyond the last 32 and into the second week of the tournament proper.

Egypt, meanwhile, arrived in Arlington determined to make sure their World Cup did not end at the first knockout hurdle, with Salah’s record chase adding an extra layer of interest to a fixture already carrying significant stakes for both nations chasing a place in the round of 16.