Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has called on Mohamed Salah to seize the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a defining moment in his international career, urging the Egyptian captain to leave an indelible mark on a stage his country has rarely graced. Egypt opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Belgium, a result that offered promise but also a reminder of how fine the margins are at this level. For Salah, a player whose club brilliance has rarely been matched by World Cup impact, the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada may represent his clearest shot at a global legacy.
Echoes of Russia Still Haunt Egyptian Football
Speaking on SuperSport ahead of the Belgium fixture, as monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, Akpeyi drew a direct line back to Egypt's failed 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia, where they exited the group stage without a single victory. "For the Egyptian team, it is quite unfortunate that the last World Cup they played in 2018, they didn't win any games in that group," the former Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper said. That tournament, which also saw Salah nursing a shoulder injury sustained in the Champions League final just weeks before, left Egyptian fans with a profound sense of what might have been. Much like sports fans across different disciplines - from football to rugby bet markets where form and context define the stakes - the question surrounding Egypt at every major tournament ultimately returns to one man and how well he performs when it matters most. Eight years on, the scars remain, and the appetite for redemption is real.
A Career Milestone Wrapped in Urgency
Akpeyi was candid about the weight of expectation on Salah's shoulders, framing this tournament as a potential farewell opportunity that the Liverpool forward cannot afford to waste. "Mo Salah - this is one of the tournaments he would want to drop everything and leave your name on gold before you leave the national team, because this could actually be his last national team engagement," Akpeyi said. The observation is not without merit. Salah, one of the finest forwards of his generation, has delivered consistently at club level across more than a decade of elite football in Europe, yet his international record, while respectable, has not mirrored those heights. A deep World Cup run with Egypt would go some way to addressing that imbalance in his overall legacy.
Salah Starts Brightly, But Egypt Drop Points
Against Belgium, Salah showed the kind of influence Akpeyi is calling for. He provided the assist for Emam Ashour's opener, with the midfielder firing a low strike into the bottom corner from outside the box to give the Pharaohs the lead. Egypt, however, could not hold on. Mohamed Hany's own goal in the 66th minute handed Belgium an equaliser and a share of the spoils. Akpeyi acknowledged that the Liverpool forward has navigated a difficult recent period. "Unfortunately, he has been having a series of injuries and issues with Liverpool. But as a soccer player, you want to say, this is a time for me to give everything, leave and bow with gold on my hand," he said. The assist against Belgium was a positive opening contribution, but Akpeyi's broader point stands: Egypt will need Salah operating at his peak - not merely involved - if they are to progress beyond the group stage and finally deliver a World Cup performance worthy of his standing in the game.
