Salah not in starting XI for Egypt's World Cup opener

Mohamed Salah has not been named in Egypt’s starting XI as they begin their World Cup campaign against Uruguay.

Liverpool star Salah, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Friday, suffered a shoulder injury in his side’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, seemingly putting his participation in the finals in doubt.

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And despite reports – supported by coach Hector Cuper – that the former Roma man had made a swift recovery and would start, he has not made the XI in Yekaterinburg.

إليكم تشكيل #الفراعنة لمباراة اليوم
🆚 @Uruguay #روسيا2018 #ThePharaohs #egy pic.twitter.com/3p5NDudg7A

— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 15, 2018

Salah netted the decisive goals to fire Egypt to a first World Cup since 1990, while also scoring 44 times for Liverpool this season in all competitions.

There is no room in the Egypt line-up for 45-year-old goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary either, as he looks to become the oldest player in finals history at Russia 2018.

#EGYURU | Alineación confirmada de @Uruguay para el encuentro que disputará ante @Pharaohs a la hora 9 (Uy) por la 1a fecha del Grupo A de #Rusia2018.#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/LVE4q5kSJg

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) June 15, 2018

Uruguay, on the other hand, announced a full strength side for the opening clash, with the deadly strike duo of Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani both starting.