The British government announced yesterday, Friday, significant easing of international travel rules, including removing eight countries from its red list related to the COVID-19 pandemic, among which is Egypt. This means that star player Mohamed Salah can now play for his national team. British Transport Minister Grant Shapps stated that the eight countries moving from the red list to the orange list are Egypt, Oman, Turkey, Pakistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Kenya, effective from next Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
This British decision provides a strong boost for the Egyptian national football team in its campaign for the continental qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This move will allow Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah, of Liverpool, and Mohamed Elneny, of Arsenal, to participate in the matches of the Egyptian team to be held in the capital, Cairo.
Salah, the Liverpool striker, missed the first match against Angola earlier this month in Cairo, where the Pharaohs struggled to win by a single goal due to the quarantine restrictions imposed by the UK on travelers from red list countries, including Egypt, as reported by AFP. Salah joined the Pharaohs in Libreville for the challenging match against Gabon in the second round, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Egyptian national team is set to play against Libya at home in early October, with the fourth round match scheduled a few days later in Libya. Egypt is currently in second place in Group F with 4 points, behind Libya (6 points), while the Gabonese team is in third place with 1 point, and Angola is at the bottom with no points. The Egyptian team will continue its campaign under Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who was appointed after Hossam El Badry was dismissed following the draw with Gabon.
