Belgium vs Egypt: Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne to Lead Their Nations in Final World Cup Showdown
Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah are set for a likely final high-profile meeting when Belgium face Egypt in the opening Group G match of the 2026 World Cup on Monday evening. The pair, both 34 at kick-off with Salah celebrating his birthday on the day of the game, were central figures in the Premier League’s great Manchester City and Liverpool rivalry that shaped English football in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Though both may be past their peak, the encounter offers one more chance to revisit a shared era defined by brilliance, consistency and mutual respect.
Their careers followed remarkably similar paths. Both were signed by Chelsea in January transfer windows, but neither was given much of a chance at Stamford Bridge. De Bruyne made only nine appearances before moving on, while Salah played 10 more. After loan spells at Werder Bremen and Fiorentina, respectively, they earned permanent moves in the same country, with De Bruyne joining Wolfsburg and Salah signing for Roma. Each found his best form in a second season abroad, producing outstanding numbers that quickly attracted Premier League attention. Manchester City signed De Bruyne, Liverpool brought in Salah, and both players went on to become defining figures for their clubs.
Their achievements in England were exceptional. De Bruyne helped City win multiple league titles, domestic cups and the Champions League, while Salah did the same with Liverpool, including a Champions League crown and Premier League title success. Individually, Salah won four Premier League Golden Boots and set the record for the most goals in a 38-game Premier League season with 32 in 2017/18. De Bruyne matched the standard for assists, winning four Premier League assist awards and equalling the seasonal record of 20 assists in 2019/20.
The Belgium-Egypt opener will be their 20th meeting. Salah has the better head-to-head record, winning 10 of the previous 19 fixtures, while De Bruyne has won five. Their only previous international meeting ended with Egypt beating Belgium 2-1 in a World Cup warm-up match four years ago. Despite the imbalance in trophies over their club careers, Salah has also enjoyed the edge in direct encounters.
Both players now enter a new stage of their careers and national-team ambitions. De Bruyne has previously said Belgium’s golden generation was too old to win the World Cup, although the team has added younger talent. Egypt, meanwhile, continue to look for success at a tournament where they have historically struggled, having reached the knockout stage only once before, in 1934. For Salah, leading Egypt to a deeper run would be a major achievement.
The rivalry between the two has always been respectful rather than hostile. Each has praised the other publicly, reflecting a friendship shaped by shared experiences and elite performance rather than bitterness. With injuries, age and changing roles affecting both, this World Cup meeting may not resemble their prime battles in England. Even so, it remains a poignant final chapter in one of modern football’s most admired rivalries.
