JUST IN: Liverpool Star, Mohamed Salah Fires Egypt To 2026 World Cup
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah delivered a stellar performance on Wednesday, scoring twice as Egypt defeated Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca to book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 33-year-old captain, who has now netted nine goals in the qualifiers, was instrumental in helping Egypt clinch an unassailable five-point lead in Group A with one match left to play.
Egypt opened the scoring through Ibrahim Adel in the eighth minute, before Salah doubled the lead just six minutes later.
The Liverpool forward struck again in the 84th minute to seal victory for the Pharaohs.
Although Salah has struggled for form with Liverpool this season, scoring only three times in nine appearances, his international form remains electric.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th Premier League title win last season, also securing the Golden Boot with 29 goals.
While Egypt remains Africa’s most successful team in the Africa Cup of Nations with seven titles, its World Cup record has been less glittering.
The North African giants have now qualified for the global showpiece just four times in 15 attempts, in 1934, 1990, 2018, and now 2026.
Ghana Thrashes Central African Republic
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey scored as Ghana thrashed the Central African Republic 5-0 in Meknes.
The win leaves Ghana needing just one point from their final home fixture against Comoros to qualify.
Other goals came from Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, captain Jordan Ayew, and Kamaldeen Sulemana.
The Black Stars were already in control by halftime, leading 1-0 before unleashing a second-half onslaught.
Cape Verde Edge Closer After Thrilling Draw
In Tripoli, Cape Verde showed resilience, coming from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Libya, edging closer to their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Despite a disastrous start, defender Roberto Lopes scored an own goal inside the first minute, the island nation fought back. Telmo Arcanjo levelled before Libya’s Ezoo el Mariamy and Mahmoud al Shalwi restored the hosts’ lead.
Cape Verde responded with goals from Sidny Cabral and Willy Semedo, who equalised in the 82nd minute to secure a crucial point.
With 20 points from nine matches, Cape Verde now sit two points ahead of Cameroon, and a win against Eswatini on Monday in Praia would secure their qualification.
TGM reports that pre-qualifying favourites Cameroon stayed in contention with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Mauritius in Saint-Pierre.
Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu opened the scoring in the 57th minute, while Bryan Mbeumo struck in stoppage time to seal the victory.
Cameroon must now defeat Angola in Yaoundé to have any hope of topping Group D. If Cape Verde wins their final match, Cameroon will rely on finishing among the four best second-placed teams to reach the November play-offs, where a mini-tournament will determine Africa’s final entrants for the intercontinental play-offs in March.
In Lobamba, Eswatini seemed poised to end their eight-match winless streak after Justice Figuareido scored twice early in the second half. But Angola, under new French coach Patrice Beaumelle, mounted a comeback.
Jonathan Buatu pulled one back before Papel Ary headed home the equaliser from a corner with ten minutes left, leaving Eswatini still searching for their first group win.
