Substitutes
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Match Preview
- Group G opener pits Pot 1 Belgium against Pot 2 Egypt. Belgium finished third at Russia 2018 and coach Rudi Garcia's May 15 squad blends golden generation stalwarts Kevin De Bruyne (34), Romelu Lukaku (33) and Thibaut Courtois (34) with next-gen talents Jeremy Doku (24) and Amadou Onana (24). Seven Premier League and five Serie A players bring deep international experience as Belgium target their first deep run since 2018.
- Egypt returns to the World Cup after 8 years since Russia 2018. Captain Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, 34) leads as the undisputed talisman with 116 caps and 67 international goals. Eight Al Ahly players form the domestic core, supplemented by European-based talents Omar Marmoush (Manchester City, 27, 48 caps/11 goals) and Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice, 27). Manager Hossam Hassan is Egypt's all-time top scorer (177 caps/69 goals) and a 1990 World Cup veteran.
- Both teams deploy 4-2-3-1 formations where midfield control will prove decisive. Belgium pairs Tielemans (29, CM) and Onana (24, CDM, 195cm) as the double pivot with De Bruyne (CAM) operating above. Egypt counters with defensive duo Marwan Attia (27, CDM) and Mohanad Lasheen (30, CM) while Emam Ashour (28, CM) links play to twin threats Salah (RW) and Marmoush (ST).
- Key right flank duel features Salah (Egypt) versus Castagne (Belgium, 30, RB). Salah's devastating left-footed cut-ins have yielded multiple Premier League Golden Boots at Liverpool. Castagne, an FA Cup winner with Leicester, brings aerial prowess at 185cm and quality overlapping runs with precise crossing from the right.
- Belgium's bench includes prolific striker Lukaku (90 international goals, Napoli) who continues scoring prolifically at 33. He provides Plan B if starter De Ketelaere (25, CAM, 192cm) struggles. Egypt also possesses quality depth with Trézéguet (31, LW, ex-Aston Villa, 95 caps/23 goals) and teenage sensation Hamza Abdelkarim (18, Barcelona B, ST) offering different attacking dimensions.
- Goalkeeper battle features Courtois (Belgium) versus Shobeir (Egypt, 26). Courtois at 200cm combines imposing reach with elite reflexes, a multiple Champions League winner with Real Madrid. Shobeir stands 195cm tall at Al Ahly, having displaced veteran El Shenawy (37, 76 caps, Russia 2018 starter) to claim Egypt's number one position.
- This crucial Group G opener cannot afford defeat for either side. Belgium victory would establish momentum against remaining opponents Iran and New Zealand toward knockout qualification. For Egypt, with Salah likely playing his second and final World Cup, a positive result against Pot 1 opposition opens the Round of 16 pathway.