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Mohamed Salah became the latest Liverpool player to secure his place at next year’s World Cup after firing Egypt to the tournament.
The 33-year-old broke yet more records as his double helped the Pharaohs to a 3-0 win over Djibouti in what was at times a feisty affair. It means Salah will take his place among the world’s elite at next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
And he will be joined by a host of his Liverpool teammates, with three others having already secured their spots at the event, while others will be aiming to boost their chances of qualifying over the coming days.
Although he has been forced to drop out of his international duties this week, Wataru Endo’s job has long been done, having secured qualification with Japan all the way back in March.
He has since been joined by Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson Becker, with Argentina and Brazil among the six countries to have qualified automatically from South America.
So far, 19 teams have booked their places at next year’s tournament, including the three hosts. Asia (Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan) and South America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay) account for 12 of those.
Three African countries (Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia) have qualified so far, while New Zealand has guaranteed its spot from Oceania.
There could be some European sides joining them over the coming days, with more Liverpool players aiming to book their places at next year’s tournament.
Ibrahima Konate and Hugo Ekitike could both be on the plane to North America if results go France’s way. Should Iceland draw with Ukraine on Friday, and the French win both of their games against Azerbaijan and Iceland, then Didier Deschamps’ team will qualify with two games to spare.
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The Netherlands can all but secure its spot at next year’s tournament. Wins against Malta and Finland, while a defeat for Poland against Lithuania, would mean the Dutch can’t be overhauled in terms of points in their qualifying group, and give Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong the chance to lift a first World Cup for their country.
Elsewhere, England will qualify if Serbia and Albania draw on Saturday, and Thomas Tuchel’s side beats Latvia next Tuesday. Although he missed out on a spot in the squad this time around, Curtis Jones will be hoping to be on the plane with the Three Lions next summer.
Of the remaining Liverpool stars in international action over the next few days, Conor Bradley (Northern Ireland), Alexander Isak (Sweden), Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia), Andy Robertson (Scotland) and Florian Wirtz (Germany) can all still qualify, although they will have to wait until at least November to secure their places.
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