Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Egypt will be aiming to make amends for a 4-2 loss to Croatia when they face Burkina Faso in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers round 3. The Pharaohs are leading the chase for automatic qualification, but Thursday’s clash will be anything but a walk in the park for Mohamed Salah and Co. The Liverpool star is back to the squad, while Al Ahly full-back Omar Kamal has been omitted.
Les Etalons, on the other hand, aim to build on a 3-0 win over Ethiopia, but they will have a big fish to fry against Egypt. As Salah will start for the Pharaohs this time out, we predict that the visitors are going to return home empty-handed. A man to watch in the away team will be Bournemouth forward Dango Ouattara, while midfielder Ismahila Ouedraogo serves a one-game ban. Hubert Velud is likely to stick to the 4-4-2 formation.
Highlighted Player (Mohamed Salah):
Mohamed Salah is considered one of the best African players. Salah began his senior career at El Mokawloon, scoring 11 goals in 41 league appearances for the club and in 2012 he moved to Europe, signing a four-year deal with Swiss side Basel.
The pacey winger, who is capable of playing as a striker as well was producing outstanding displays for the RotBlau from 2012 to 2014 and, as a result, Chelsea chiefs decided to sign him on 26 January, 2015 for a fee of £11 million. Mohamed Salah, though, failed to impress in the Premier league and one year later he was sent on loan to Fiorentina.
After making 16 league appearances for the Viola in the Serie A, the left-footed winger signed a loan deal with Roma on 6 August, 2015. The Romans made the contract permanent on 3 August, 2016. Speaking of his international career, Salah made his Egypt debut on 3 September, 2011 in a 2-1 loss to Sierra Leone. It has to be noted that he was named Roma’s player of the season (2015/2016).
Highlighted Team (Burkina Faso):
Burkina Faso are an African football team that is controlled by the Federation Burkinabe de Foot-Ball. They were playing under the name of Upper Volta until 1984 when they became Burkina Faso. Les Etlons (the Stallions) defeated Gabon in their first international game (5-4) and they recorded their biggest win one year later (Liberia 5-1).
Burkina Faso have yet to qualify for the World Cup finals, whilst they played an important role at the 2013 African Cup of Nations. By beating the likes of Togo and Ghana in the knockout stages the Stallions set up a meeting with Nigeria in the final of the tournament, but the Super Eagles eventually won the title. It has to be noted that Mba scored the winner for Nigeria in the title game.
Jonathan Pitroipa is probably the most notable footballer who played for Burkina Faso the former Rennes ace has 51 caps for the national team. Stade du 4-Aout, the venue that was opened in 1984, is regarded as Burkina Faso’s home ground.