Salah sidelined for Egypt's South Sudan qualifier over artificial pitch concerns

The Egyptian Football Association made the decision to keep Salah out of the fixture as a precautionary measure, prioritising the player's fitness and injury prevention given the conditions of the playing surface.

The match against South Sudan forms part of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Egypt's decision to rest Salah reflects growing debate within football over the use of artificial pitches and their potential impact on player safety and performance.

Artificial surfaces have long been a point of contention among professional football players and medical staff, with concerns raised about increased injury risk and the physical toll on players compared to natural grass pitches.

The decision underscores Egypt's cautious approach to managing the fitness of one of the world's most high-profile players. Salah, who plays for English Premier League club Liverpool, has been a cornerstone of Egypt's recent competitive campaigns and remains crucial to the national team's World Cup ambitions.

No confirmation has been provided regarding when Salah might return to international duty following the South Sudan qualifier.