Player Spotlight: Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland

Today’s player spotlights shine a light on some of football’s most exciting talents. Here’s everything you need to know.

Mohamed Salah

Salah Scores and Assists as Egypt Make History at World Cup 2026

Egypt / Al-Hilal | Forward / Winger | Egyptian

Key stat: Salah’s goal against New Zealand was his 68th international goal for Egypt, leaving him just one behind the all-time Egyptian scoring record held by current coach Hassan

At 34 years of age, Mohamed Salah continues to defy expectations on the biggest stage.

In Egypt’s historic 3-1 win over New Zealand, the winger scored the decisive goal and set up another, becoming the oldest African player to score and assist in the same World Cup match since records began in 1966.

Salah had previously scored on his birthday in Egypt’s opening group game against Belgium, breaking a 60-year record for the oldest World Cup goal on a player’s birthday by an African nation.

He is now Africa’s all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifying history with 20 goals.

“We made history today and this is just the beginning for this team. — Mohamed Salah”

— Mohamed Salah

Erling Haaland

Haaland Fires Norway to Top of Group I With World Cup Debut Brace Against Iraq

Manchester City / Norway | Striker | Norwegian

Key stat: Haaland’s two goals against Iraq were his 56th and 57th international goals for Norway, extending his record as the country’s all-time leading scorer

Erling Haaland delivered the performance everyone had been waiting for in his first-ever World Cup match, netting twice as Norway crushed Iraq 4-1 in their Group I opener.

The 25-year-old striker opened his World Cup account after just 29 minutes and added a second after a goalkeeping error, also contributing an assist.

The brace equalled the Norwegian record for most World Cup goals by a single player and put Norway in the driving seat for qualification.

Tonight he faces Senegal, with Haaland looking to all but secure Norway’s passage to the knockout rounds.

“Playing at the World Cup was a dream for me growing up. Scoring twice in my debut is something I will never forget. — Erling Haaland”

— Erling Haaland

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