Egypt was guided to the 2026 FIFA world cup in a fashionable way and it comes as no surprise that Mohamed Salah stationed at the very centre of it. The Egyptian talisman produced another masterclass of his season on a cool evening in Casablanca when he scored twice in an easy 3-0 defeat of Djibouti. After that Egypt was one of the first African countries to strike their ticket on North America, along with Morocco and Tunisia that also appeared on the list of the initial qualifiers. It was a game that demonstrated nerves, control and scheming that capped and drilled all that Egypt had needed in the past few years.

They had gone not to play a draw, but to win. They wanted it to happen as Ibrahim Adel scored early in the first half and settled any form of nerves the Pharaohs may have had. Salah, as ever, was the spark. He scored twice to Egypt in the first half a goal that was made over as icy and placed the army of Djibouti in a standstill. The third was a trademarks Salah strike late in the game which was the full stop to religious performance which only could have been described as classic Egypt.

This game was hosted in Casablanca because the home stadium in Djibouti did not qualify according to the requirements of CAF. But even on neutral ground there was no mistaking him on chancey ground who touched the pitch. Egypt died very sharp and their midfield was very dominant and their attack very relentless. To Salah, this was another leading to his matchless service to his country. Although he is 33 years old, his passion to perform on behalf of Egypt is yet to be beat. Whenever he puts on that red jersey, he has something to prove to show not to some fans but to himself.

To the Egyptian fans, this qualification is much more than mere figures. It is redemption, relief and revival. The pain of the inability to play major tournaments in the past still reeks but this campaign was on a new level. Egypt was considered organized and confident since the beginning of qualifiers. They headed their team with ease clearing Burkina Faso and other competitors without pass. Every game was  like putting money behind full statement and Salah ensured there was no failure to listen to the message.

Although it is only Salah who will be touching the headlines by natural sense, this qualification is also an indication of a grouped development. Players such as Omar Marmoush, Mahmoud Trezeguet, and Ahmed Hegazi injected sanity and hard nosedness. The chemistry among the team has never been clearer than it was a few days ago and the tactical clarity of the manager Rui Vitoria worked out. He recently had faith in his senior players to set the example and they delivered it at the right time when it was counted the most.

This did not happen as Salah basically threw himself at Djibouti to win a match though it was symbolic. It was leadership in emergency situations, being consistent on the frontline, and someone who has a burning faith that Egypt deserves to be in the global arena. Such objectives contribute to the ever waning list of Salah as one of the greatest ever footballers in Africa. After every game he gets a step nearer to drawing his name into the folklore of the football on the continent.

But Egypt understands that it is only a start of qualification. Their biggest test will be the world cup 2026 that will be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. It takes more than genius, individual, to stand up and compete with the elite of Europe and South America: it takes a team that is united, and knows nothing to be fear. Egypt has the experience, talent and above all the impetus. Egypt may prove to be one of the surprise packages within the tournament assuming Salah remains even and motivated to be in shape.

This qualification also is timely enough to Salah himself. This foreign triumph may restore his confidence following a stunted opening address to the club season before the onset of the next season of the Premier League. More to the point, it strengthens his image as an emotional leader of Egypt, a captain who does more than just score, but impress. So much of everything that anybody hand-touches him thinks, Every goal, Every, every roar Of his.

The nebulisms around the endings of either the film was jolting in the case of Casablanca with the closure. Players of Egypt huddled and raised and grinned wide arms up and a moment of pure joy. It was not only a football score, it was some kind of a Everyone-ois-o, a promise in a way. The Egyptians are in their place, that of one of the best teams in the world, and Salah once proved why he is being nicknamed the heartbeat of his country.

The road to go is not going to be a smooth one. It will be a tough challenge in the 2026 Olympics, yet thanks to Egypt, the country is enjoying the fruits of success. They’ve earned it. Salah did not just protest the brace on qualifying he did so to build a renewed faith, pride and passion. Whenever the world comes together to watch what the biggest football spectacle in recent years, it is a guarantee that Egypt will be there, headed by their leading player, their role model and their Salah.

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