Egypt holds Salah over fitness concerns while Cologne pursues Ghana WC star Mensah

Egyptian national team coach Hossam Hassan said he will not risk playing Mohamed Salah unless he is fully recovered. Salah suffered a thigh strain in the group‑stage match against Iran and was substituted at halftime. He has taken part in training sessions but will only be selected if medical staff are completely convinced of his fitness for the round‑of‑16 clash.

German club 1. FC Köln have opened talks to sign Ghanaian left‑back Gideon Mensah, who featured for his country at the 2026 World Cup. Köln see Mensah, valued at about €4 million, as a solution to their defensive weaknesses. A transfer would be completed after the tournament, with the player potentially arriving in late July.