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World Cup 2018 power rankings

By James Dudko

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – MARCH 27: Mohamed Elneny of Egypt during the International Friendly match between Egypt and Greece at Stadion Letzigrund at Letzigrund on March 27, 2018 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – MARCH 27: Mohamed Elneny of Egypt during the International Friendly match between Egypt and Greece at Stadion Letzigrund at Letzigrund on March 27, 2018 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

24. Egypt

The fitness of key players is the only reason a capable Egypt squad ranks this low. In particular, concerns about star forward Mohamed Salah are high after his injury during Liverpool’s loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Salah damaged his shoulder after a clash with Sergio Ramos, but the Egypt FA (h/t BBC Sport) offered hope the country’s star man may be fit in time for the start of the tournament.

Having arguably the most dangerous forward in today’s game fit and firing would be an obvious boost for The Pharaohs. Salah’s pace and perceptive runs off the ball will keep every defense in Group A on edge.

It would also help if Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny is 100 percent in time for his country’s first group match on Friday, June 15. The playmaker missed the end of the domestic season with an ankle problem.

However, Elneny was back in training earlier this month, per Goal’s Gbenga Adewoye. Elneny’s presence, along with West Brom center-back Ahmed Hegazi, means there is still enough ability for this squad to make it through the group.

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