Hossam Hassan moved quickly to pour cold water on the idea of a fallout with Mohamed Salah after Egypt opened with a draw against Belgium. Salah was substituted in the 76th minute with the match tied at 1-1, and Barcelona teenager Hamza Abdelkarim came on in his place. Egypt and Belgium left Group G on one point apiece after the first round of games.

Hassan's public denial

Hassan's message was blunt. Speaking to the Independent, he said: "Salah is an important player for our squad, and the 26 players who are here with me are very important. Every player who has worked with me knows I deal with them in a professional manner. I do not have favourites." He added that Salah is "a great player who helps his teammates" and called him "a role model."

The coach also pushed back on the noise around the substitution. "Rumours are being spread about stars, about players, about teams," he said. "But Salah is someone who is very disciplined. He trains with us. He's the first player that would also say yes to my decisions as a technical director. So I think he will be very positive tomorrow."

The opening draw is the other part of the picture. Hassan told Goal that Egypt want to "win and secure these points" against New Zealand vs Egypt, which is next at BC Place on Sunday. That is the immediate task now, not a sideline row that the coach has already rejected.

What the opener says about Salah's role

Sports Mole's read of the Belgium game points to a more functional version of Salah. He had one touch in the opposition area, a header saved by Thibaut Courtois, yet still finished with the joint-most chances created for Egypt, with three. He also had one goal contribution in the opener.

The numbers fit a player who was involved without dominating the final third from start to finish. That does not prove a permanent change in role, but it does show why Hassan can describe the substitution as a team call rather than a punishment. Salah played 76 minutes and left after contributing enough to stay in the game without taking over it.

For now, the evidence favours the coach's line. Egypt's first job is to turn the draw into points against New Zealand on Sunday, and the public message from Hassan is that Salah remains part of that plan.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →