Belgium vs Egypt: Surprise Mo Salah odds you should back for World Cup clash

Belgium begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Egypt in Seattle on Monday in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of Group G.

Rudi Garcia's side arrive in excellent form, unbeaten in 13 matches and fresh from a commanding 5-0 victory over Tunisia, but Egypt possess enough quality to make life uncomfortable for any opponent.

This tournament could represent the final opportunity for Belgium's fading golden generation to challenge for a major international honour. Ranked ninth in the world, the Red Devils are favourites to win this game at 8/13 (1.62) with bet365, while an Egypt victory is priced at 19/4 (5.75).

Despite the odds, this may not be as straightforward as the market suggests. Egypt came through qualification unbeaten and have shown throughout the last two years that they are a difficult side to break down.

Mohamed Salah to score or assist vs Belgium?

Mohamed Salah heads into the tournament with plenty to prove. The Egypt captain is currently without a club after bringing his Liverpool career to an end a year before the expiry of his contract.

Turning 34 on the day of the match, Salah remains the face of Egyptian football and the man upon whom much of his nation's hopes will rest.

The forward departed Anfield with a remarkable record of 257 goals and 123 assists, although the 2025-26 campaign was his least productive season in a Liverpool shirt, yielding 12 goals across all competitions.

Even so, Salah showed signs of old form by scoring four goals in his last six appearances for Egypt, and bet365 have priced him at 11/4 (3.75) to score at any time against Belgium.

Salah is also available at 11/2 (6.5) to register an assist, while odds of 13/8 (2.68) for Salah to either score or assist could represent attractive value given how heavily Egypt rely on his attacking output.

Salah's interesting dynamic with Hassan

For all his individual brilliance, Salah is still waiting to win a major trophy with Egypt despite making his senior debut back in 2011.

His current manager knows all about international success. Hassan remains Egypt's all-time leading goalscorer and lifted the Africa Cup of Nations on three occasions during his illustrious playing career.

The relationship carries an added layer of intrigue given Hassan was often one of Salah's fiercest critics during his time as a television pundit.

Now the pair are working towards the same objective, and Salah is only two goals away from matching Hassan's international record of 69. If Egypt can put together a deep run in North America, that milestone could soon be within touching distance.