Liverpool star Mohamed Salah netted twice as Egypt defeated Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca on Wednesday, securing their place at the 2026 World Cup.
The 33-year-old striker now has nine goals in a long qualifying campaign that began two years ago. Egypt’s win gave them an unassailable five-point lead over Burkina Faso in Group A.
Salah, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, helped Liverpool win a record-equalling 20th Premier League title last season and claimed the Golden Boot with 29 goals. However, he has struggled for form this season, scoring only three times in nine appearances for the club.
Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring for Egypt in the eighth minute, before Salah doubled the lead six minutes later. He sealed the victory with a second goal in the 84th minute.
Despite being seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions, Egypt have only qualified for the World Cup four times: 1934, 1990, 2018, and now 2026.
In other qualifiers, Ghana thrashed the Central African Republic 5-0 in Meknes. Thomas Partey, Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, captain Jordan Ayew, and Kamaldeen Sulemana scored for the Black Stars, who now need just a point against Comoros to secure qualification from Group I. Ghana lead the group with 22 points, ahead of second-placed Madagascar.
Cape Verde battled back from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Libya in Tripoli, keeping their hopes of a first World Cup alive. The Blue Sharks lead Group D by two points over Cameroon and will face Eswatini on Monday for a chance to clinch top spot.
Cameroon beat Mauritius 2-0, with goals from Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu and Bryan Mbeumo, but must win their final match against Angola to remain in contention. If Cape Verde finishes first, Cameroon could still qualify as one of the four best runners-up for the play-offs.
Eswatini salvaged a 2-2 draw with Angola after initially leading by two goals. Justice Figuareido scored twice for Eswatini, while Jonathan Buatu and Papel Ary scored for Angola.
The African qualifiers will conclude with a mini-tournament, featuring single-match semi-finals and a final, with the winner advancing to the six-nation intercontinental play-offs next March for a chance at two World Cup spots.