World Cup 2026: Salah doubtful, Portugal-Croatia and Switze…
Salah in the balance, Portugal-Croatia and Switzerland-Algeria today
Salah's injury decides Egypt's fate as Portugal and Croatia battle it out for top spot in the group. Switzerland and Algeria are fighting for direct qualification.
Mohamed Salah remains on the line for the Egypt-Australia round of 16 match due to a muscle problem. Egypt await a decision on Salah's injury before taking to the field against Australia. Coach Hossam Hassan must decide whether to field the captain or opt for less decisive alternatives.
The match, scheduled for today, could undergo twists and turns until the last minute. If Salah doesn't play, it would force Egypt to rethink its offensive structure, already fragile without its main attacking midfielder. The Egyptian federation has activated an emergency protocol to also evaluate players from European clubs, such as Mostafa Mohamed of Fenerbahçe, as a possible emergency replacement.
In the event of Salah's absence, Egypt would risk triggering a chain reaction: defeat against Australia would force the team onto a more complicated path already in the round of 16, where they could meet one of the tournament favourites. Portugal and Croatia face each other in a high-intensity match for first place in the group. The Portuguese, led by Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, are looking for victory to avoid more fearsome teams in the round of 16.
Croatia, on the other hand, is aiming for a draw that will still guarantee them passage to the next round, but a success would give them greater peace of mind. Portugal, fresh from a 2-0 victory against Switzerland, start as slight favourites, but Luka Modrić's Croatia is never to be underestimated, especially in direct elimination matches. The field factor, in Houston, could work in favor of the Croatians, who have already shown strong adaptability to US fields during the group stage.
A victory for Portugal would force the organizers to review the pairings to avoid clashes between seeds already in the direct elimination phase, while a Croatian success would open up scenarios in which the Balkan national team could meet one of the big names of the tournament already in the round of 16. Switzerland and Algeria are playing for direct qualification to the round of 16. The Swiss, with a squad full of experience, are trying to close the group in first place.
Algeria, on the other hand, must win to avoid facing one of the tournament's big names already in the round of 16. Switzerland, who beat Algeria 1-0 on matchday one, started with a slight psychological advantage, but the Africans showed impressive defensive solidity, conceding just one goal in three matches. Goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi, making his fourth World Cup appearance, will be decisive between the posts.
An Algerian success, in addition to guaranteeing direct qualification, would pave the way for a possible clash with France in the round of 16, forcing the organizers to recalculate the seedings to avoid too early pairings between the favourites. Spain has already qualified after the 3-0 defeat inflicted on Austria. Now the Iberian national team awaits their opponent in the round of 16, with Mikel Oyarzabal among the players to monitor for his decisive performances.
The Spaniards, fresh from a dominant performance against the Austrians, finished the group with the best goal difference of the tournament, but will have to adapt to an opponent who is still unknown. Coach Luis de la Fuente has already declared that the team will focus exclusively on athletic and mental preparation for the upcoming challenge. Spain, with its positional play and ability to control matches, represents one of the main candidates for the title, but the unknown opponent in the round of 16 could force it to review its strategies.
Hossam Hassan, Egypt coach, said: "We are waiting for the latest medical update on Salah. " What changes after today? Today's matches will define the pairings of the round of 16 and the first big games of the tournament.
If Salah cannot play, Egypt will have to review its offensive strategies. Portugal-Croatia and Switzerland-Algeria could reserve surprises, with repercussions on the entire scoreboard. Spain, meanwhile, calmly awaits its fate.
A possible victory for Portugal would force the organizers to review the pairings to avoid clashes between seeds already in the knockout phase, while Algeria's qualification as second in the group would open up a possible clash with France in the round of 16. Read at Sky Sport Italia
Why this matters
The health of Mohamed Salah and the tactical surprises of Portugal-Croatia and Switzerland-Algeria could reshape the balance of the tournament. Today's matches define the round of 16 and reveal the first big teams of the 2026 World Cup, with Spain already qualified after the 3-0 win over Austria. Every detail counts: injuries, formations and technical choices will decide who will go through. Salah, if absent, would force Egypt into an unprecedented match, while Portugal-Croatia and Switzerland-Algeria could reserve surprises capable of influencing the entire draw, especially if the big teams of the tournament were to avoid these pairings already in the round of 16. Salah's absence, then, would not only be a problem for Egypt: it would force the organizers to review the seedings, with repercussions on the entire path of the favourites. Likewise, a victory for Algeria would open up a clash with France already in the round of 16, forcing Les Bleus to prepare for a physical and organized opponent, capable of putting even the most famous teams in difficulty.
Frequently asked
Will Mohamed Salah play Egypt-Australia?
His condition is still in doubt due to a muscle problem. The final decision will come close to the match. The Egyptian federation has already activated contingency plans to replace him.
Which teams face each other today in the round of 32?
Portugal against Croatia and Switzerland against Algeria. Both matches are decisive for qualifying for the round of 16.
Has Spain already qualified for the round of 16?
Yes, Spain has already qualified after beating Austria 3-0 on the second day of the group.
Who are the key players to monitor today?
In addition to Salah, watch out for Mikel Oyarzabal for Spain and the Portuguese like Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva. Their performances could define the round of 16. For Algeria, goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi will be crucial.
What is Croatia's goal in Portugal-Croatia?
Croatia aims to win to secure first place in the group and avoid more difficult teams in the round of 16. A draw would not be enough for direct qualification.
What is Salah's physical condition?
Salah suffered a muscle problem during the last training session. His status will be evaluated in the next few hours before the final decision.
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