On Thursday, Cuper said that Salah, who had injured his shoulder in the Champions League final on May 26, was almost certain to play against Uruguay if nothing unexpected happened.

"When there are doubts left that something can happen to him on the pitch, that something could lead to an injury, we don't let him play. Today we decided not to field him so that we can be guaranteed he will play in the match against the Russian national team," Cuper told journalists.

Egypt will play Russia in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.