History beckon but a “fearless” opponent awaits the Socceroos

4 0 0 →0 2 →2 1 →3 2 →0 3 →0 3 →2 1 →2 5 →0 0 →0 0 →1 1 →0 2 →1 3 →1 0 →3 4 →2 0 →3 1 →0 2 →1 0 →2 1 →3 1 →1 3 →2 0 →0 1 →4 5 →0 0 →1 0 →0 1 →5 1 →1 Live 0 →0 Live 1 →0 - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- - →- World Cup: History beckons but a “fearless” opponent awaits the Socceroos as they turn their attention to the knockout rounds. Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 7:47am Australia is preparing for Egyptian star Mohamed Salah to be fit for their round-of-32 World Cup clash in Dallas, as they turn their attention to making history. The former Liverpool forward was substituted early in the second half with a hamstring issue as Egypt was held to a one-all draw in a thrilling clash with Iran that saw the Iranians have a late goal ruled out for off-side which would have had them finishing second in the group and facing the Socceroos. Socceroos assistant Hayden Foxe was adamant they will be prepared for Salah at his best. “It didn't look good for him to come off in such an important game at 1-1 … to come off at that moment,” he said at the Socceroos team hotel. “There might be something there, but he's a player of enormous talent and I'm sure he'll be doing everything that he can to play in this game. “All we can do is control how we will measure up and how we will combat the opposition and who they start and who they don't start.” Egypt coach Hossam Hassan revealed after the game that Salah had requested his substitution and would be assessed. It's not the only injury concern for Egypt, with Ahmed Fatouh and Hamdi Fathi also racing against the clock to be fit for the game on Friday, local time. Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush are the two most recognisable names in the Egyptian squad, which has used just 17 players so far this tournament, but Foxe warned against complacency. Egypt's run to the World Cup Egypt has been in strong form in the lead up to the tournament, fourth in the African Cup of Nations, and losing just three out of their past 13 games, including those at the World Cup. “You look at their qualification through the AFCON (African soccer confederation) they didn't lose a game," Foxe said. "In their warm-up games, they played Brazil, they played Spain … they had very good performances. So they're a good side. "But you know what, we have real good belief, we have good confidence with the group, whoever starts, whoever plays, and we know that everyone will be ready for this game. "They have some real natural technical talent, play kind of fearlessly." The game will be played in Dallas, Texas, which has seen temperatures in the high 30's, which is up to 18 degrees warmer than the Socceroos' base in Oakland. “The beauty of the (stadium) in Dallas is that it's indoors, it's air conditioned, so it's going to be very similar temperatures to here," Foxe said. The brink of history No Australian side has won a men's World Cup knockout game, despite twice making it out of the group stage. In 2006, the Socceroos were beaten by Italy, while Lionel Messi led Argentina to a 2-1 over Australia in 2022. Foxe said the players were aware of the opportunity and expectation. "They know the impact they've had, not just football fans, but the whole 27 million of Australians," he said. "To do that, to create history, we need to win this game and then they'll be the first Australian team to progress through the knockout stages." [Image text:] M.MOHEBBI TAREMI 10 10