Egypt national team head coach Hossam Hassan responded swiftly to rumors about a rift with captain Mohamed Salah. The star forward was surprisingly substituted in the 76th minute of Egypt’s opening match against Belgium, with the score tied at 1-1, sparking speculation in the media. Ahead of the clash with New Zealand, Hassan firmly denied any discord and emphasized that all players in the squad are treated with equal professionalism.
The Egyptian coach clarified the reasoning behind the substitution of his key player:
“Salah is an important player, but for me, all 26 players in the squad matter. Everyone knows I work professionally and do not have favorites. Mohamed is disciplined and sets an example for the rest. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, that’s normal—it’s part of a player’s role. There are always rumors surrounding stars. Salah trains with us and is the first to accept my decisions as head coach.”
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