Salah faces Belgium in his possible farewell to the group stage of the World Cup.

Mohamed Salah celebrates his 34th birthday with everything at stake: Belgium and Egypt face off in a high-stakes clash, right at the opening of Group G of the 2026 World Cup. All eyes are on Seattle, where Rudi Garcia’s Red Devils, despite no longer featuring the star-studded lineup of previous years, are still regarded as the undeniable favorites in this group. For Egypt, this will undoubtedly be the most challenging test of the initial phase — and the same can be said for Belgium.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, June 15, at 8:00 PM (Lisbon time), at the iconic Lumen Field in Seattle, United States, with Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti officiating. Television coverage is secured for different audiences: BBC One and associated digital platforms for the United Kingdom; FOX One for English-speaking viewers in the United States, and Telemundo for Spanish coverage — without interruptions for hydration breaks. In Canada, the game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS channels, while in Mexico it can be followed through ViX.

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The history of Egypt in the World Cup is, to say the least, disheartening: they have never won a single match in the tournament and, in the 2018 edition, they were defeated in all their group stage encounters. This context carries additional weight for Salah, the captain and ultimate symbol of Egyptian football, who, while celebrating his birthday against the Belgians, knows that this may be his last opportunity to shine on the biggest stage in world football. The pressure is immense, not only for the Liverpool star but for an entire nation yearning for a moment of glory.

Belgium, even without the brilliance of previous editions, appears revitalized under Rudi Garcia’s leadership, determined not to lose its status as group favorite. “We know we don’t have the same depth as in other years, but our ambition remains intact. Egypt is a dangerous opponent, with fast and motivated players,” Garcia stated in the lead-up to the match, emphasizing the importance of starting with a win to control their destiny in the competition. On the Egyptian side, Salah made clear the sentiment that runs through the locker room: “This could be my last World Cup. I want to give it my all, and I know my teammates feel the same. Belgium is strong, but we will fight until the end,” he declared at a press conference, showing determination to counter the Belgian favoritism.

This opening clash is crucial for the immediate future of both teams. With Iran and New Zealand still to face, both Belgians and Egyptians know that the outcome of this game could define the difficulty level of their path to the knockout stage. For Belgium, a victory would allow them to approach the upcoming challenges with greater tranquility and manage their squad, while Egypt, even in the event of a loss, maintains hopes of qualification, provided they can secure at least four points against theoretically more accessible opponents — with New Zealand being by far the weakest team in the group, and Iran facing logistical and travel difficulties.

Pressure is at its peak, and any slip-up could be fatal, especially for an Egypt that cannot afford to repeat the failures of the past. The upcoming chapters will be decisive: Belgium must confirm its favoritism and prove that it is still a European shark, while Egypt plays for national pride and for Salah’s last dance, who dreams of breaking the Egyptian jinx at the World Cup. The football world watches, expectantly, this duel that could redefine the balance of Group G and lay the groundwork for a surprising campaign by one of the teams.

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