Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah showed he’s still at the top of his game as he netted four goals for Egypt in their opening qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament, set to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will see Salah competing at the age of 34. In a surprising turn of events, Nigeria, a powerhouse in African football, was held to a 1-1 draw at home by the underdog Lesotho.
Lesotho, ranked a modest 153rd in the world, stunned the footballing world by taking the lead in the 56th minute, courtesy of Motlomelo Mkwanazi’s goal from a corner. Despite being 113 places below Nigeria in the FIFA rankings, Lesotho displayed resilience.
Nigeria, however, managed to level the score 11 minutes later when West Brom center-back Semi Ajayi powerfully headed in Kelechi Iheanacho’s corner. Despite dominating the first half, Nigeria struggled to secure a win as Iheanacho’s free-kick was saved, Taiwo Awoniyi missed a promising opportunity, and Ademola Lookman’s shot was thwarted.
Salah, on the other hand, was in top form as he guided Egypt to a convincing 6-0 victory over Djibouti in Cairo. In Group A, Salah’s first goal came in the 17th minute after Mostafa Mohamed delivered a precise cross from the left. He quickly added another from the penalty spot, completing his hat-trick shortly after halftime by capitalizing on a pass from Ahmed El Fatouh. With 20 minutes remaining, Salah secured his fourth goal, once again assisted by El Fatouh, and Mohamed added a fifth just four minutes later. Trezeguet sealed the rout for Egypt with a strike in the 89th minute.
In other World Cup qualifiers across Africa, Algeria defeated Somalia 3-1 at home, while Mozambique secured a 3-2 away win against Botswana. Gabon came from behind to beat Kenya 2-1, and Burundi won 3-2 against The Gambia in a match played in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Sudan drew 1-1 against Togo in Benina, Libya, in Group B, which features continental champions Senegal.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia filed a complaint with FIFA after their Group A opener against Sierra Leone was marred by dense fog. The match, held in the Moroccan coastal city of El Jadida due to Ethiopia’s lack of an international-standard venue, ended in a goalless draw after 15 minutes of stoppage time. Ethiopia’s football federation called for the game to be postponed and requested FIFA to reschedule the kick-off time to avoid a repeat of foggy conditions.
FIFA has yet to respond to the request, and the situation remains uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
What were the highlights of Mohamed Salah’s performance in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers?
Mohamed Salah showcased his brilliance by scoring four goals for Egypt in their opening World Cup 2026 qualifier. He was in top form, netting a hat-trick and adding another goal, demonstrating his prowess on the field.
How did Nigeria fare in their World Cup 2026 qualifier against Lesotho?
Nigeria, a footballing powerhouse, faced an unexpected challenge when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Lesotho, a team ranked significantly lower in the FIFA rankings. Despite dominating the first half, Nigeria struggled to secure a victory.
What were the other notable results in African World Cup 2026 qualifiers?
In other African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Algeria secured a win against Somalia, Mozambique won an away match against Botswana, Gabon came from behind to beat Kenya, and Burundi sealed a victory over The Gambia. Additionally, Sudan and Togo played to a 1-1 draw in their Group B encounter.
Why did Ethiopia file a complaint with FIFA regarding their match against Sierra Leone?
Ethiopia lodged a complaint with FIFA due to dense fog disrupting their Group A opener against Sierra Leone. The match was played in El Jadida, Morocco, as Ethiopia lacked an international-standard venue. The game ended in a goalless draw after multiple stoppages due to poor visibility. Ethiopia requested a postponement and an earlier kick-off time for future matches to avoid similar fog-related issues. FIFA has yet to respond to this request.
What is the focus keyword for this article?
The focus keyword for this article is “World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.”
More about World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
- Mohamed Salah’s Four-Goal Performance
- Nigeria’s Unexpected Draw Against Lesotho
- African World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Results
- Ethiopia’s Complaint to FIFA
- World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Overview
2 comments
Nigeria got drawd by Lesotho? Seriously? What a surprisn’
Love how they mix football news with Ethiopia’s foggy drama. Kinda unique, ain’t it?