Liam Duckstein
Australia and Egypt are set to face one another in the round of 32 knockout stage of the World Championship Play-Offs, with a place in the next round on the line. Both sides have navigated their respective qualification routes to reach this 1/16-finals tie, making it one of the high-stakes fixtures of this stage of the competition. For Australia, Irankunda N. is expected to be an attacking threat from his forward position, while Egypt will be looking to Salah M. and Marmoush O. to provide the creative spark and cutting edge up front.
Australia Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)
Australia will be without Italiano J. and Leckie M. through injury ahead of this fixture, both of whom would have been contenders for a starting berth. The absence of Leckie M. in particular along the flanks could prompt the manager to adjust the wide areas of the 3-4-2-1 shape, with the current selection suggesting Okon-Engstler P. and Behich A. are expected to cover those wider positions.
| Jersey # | Player |
|---|---|
| 18 | Beach P. |
| 3 | Circati A. |
| 19 | Souttar H. |
| 25 | Herrington L. |
| 5 | Bos J. |
| 13 | O’Neill A. |
| 24 | Okon-Engstler P. |
| 16 | Behich A. |
| 20 | Volpato C. |
| 8 | Metcalfe C. |
| 17 | Irankunda N. |
- Will not play: Italiano J. (Groin Injury), Leckie M. (Hamstring Injury)
- Questionable: None reported.
Egypt Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Egypt head into this match without Lasheen M., who is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, while a trio of players — Abdelmonem M., Fathy H., and Fatouh A. — are all carrying fitness concerns and remain doubtful. Should any of those doubtful players be ruled out, the head coach may need to make further adjustments to the squad, though the core of Salah M., Marmoush O., and Zizo in the attacking midfield band looks set to remain intact.
| Jersey # | Player |
|---|---|
| 23 | Shobeir O. |
| 3 | Hany M. |
| 5 | Rabia R. |
| 2 | Ibrahim Y. |
| 15 | Hafez K. |
| 19 | Attia M. |
| 25 | Zizo |
| 10 | Salah M. |
| 8 | Ashour E. |
| 11 | Ziko M. |
| 22 | Marmoush O. |
- Will not play: Lasheen M. (Yellow Cards)
- Questionable: Abdelmonem M. (Ankle Injury), Fathy H. (Groin Injury), Fatouh A. (Muscle Injury)
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