MOHAMED SALAH INTERVIW ENGLISH EGYPT WORLD CUP 2018 LIVE
2Egypt's Mohamed Salah, left, and teammate Shikabala talk during Egypt's official training on the eve of the group A match between Egypt and Uruguay at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Yekaterinburg Arena, Yekaterinburg, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
YEKATERINBURG, Russia -- The emphasis on the team returning to the World Cup after 28 years has given way to attention on an individual player ahead of Egypt's World Cup opener against Uruguay.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is expected to recover from a shoulder injury he sustained in the Champions League final in time to play at least some part of Egypt's World Cup campaign.
But will he be fit to play Friday's opening game on the day he turns 26? Millions of Egyptians are anxious to know, and the intense interest isn't restricted to Egypt.
The presence of the country's national hero is a key factor for his team's chances against Uruguay, and perhaps advancing from the group stage for the first time.
Uruguay's World Cup experience and the depth of the squad make the South American team a favorite for the game and in Group A, which also host Russia and Saudi Arabia. The Russians meet the Saudi's in Thursday's tournament opener.
SALAH'S INFLUENCE
Salah is a player who inspires and delivers for both his club and country. He scored 44 goals in all competitions in his debut season for Liverpool and became the leading scorer in the Premier League. His goals fired Egypt to the World Cup for the first time since 1990, earning Salah the deep gratitude of his nation and respect from rivals.