In an unprecedented show of competitive strength, the Arab world has secured seven direct qualification berths for the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The recent final rounds of qualifiers saw Qatar and Saudi Arabia top their Asian groups, joining four nations from North Africa—Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia—as well as debutants Jordan in a historic collective achievement.
The expanded 48-team tournament guarantees a massive regional presence, confirming the ascendancy of football across the Middle East and North Africa.
The qualification of these nations—and potentially more through subsequent playoff rounds—underscores a burgeoning strength in Arab football across both the Asian (AFC) and African (CAF) confederations.
Saudi Arabia secured its place—its seventh World Cup appearance—by topping Group B of the fourth qualifying round. A tenacious 0-0 draw against rivals Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday was enough to ensure their passage, confirming their third consecutive appearance at the finals.
Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts, achieved a monumental goal by qualifying for the first time via the competitive process. A decisive 2-1 victory over local rivals United Arab Emirates saw them finish first in Group A, cementing their status for a second straight World Cup.
The two Gulf nations join Jordan who earlier secured a historic maiden World Cup appearance earlier in the campaign, showcasing the development of football in the Levant. This qualification is a source of immense pride, marking Jordan’s first-ever trip to the finals.
The African qualifiers were dominated by Arab nations from North Africa. Morocco, the heroes of 2022, were the first African nation to qualify, securing their seventh appearance with a near-perfect run and looking to build upon their historic semi-final run.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia were defensively magnificent, securing their seventh qualification by topping Group H. Their disciplined campaign notably saw them qualify without conceding a single goal.
The Desert Foxes of Algeria confirmed their fifth World Cup berth by triumphing in Group G, marking their comeback to the finals after a 12-year absence. Finally, led by captain and icon Mohamed Salah, the Pharaohs of Egypt clinched the top spot in Group A, confirming their fourth World Cup appearance and ensuring a return to the global stage.
While seven nations celebrate direct qualification, the door remains open for one final Arab entrant. The AFC regional playoffs will feature a hotly anticipated two-legged clash between the runners-up of the Asian fourth round groups: Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The winner of this playoff will claim the AFC’s single berth in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, which takes place in March 2026 and offers two final spots at the World Cup.
The massive presence of the Arab world sets the stage for a highly-anticipated World Cup 2026. The confirmed Arab nations and their total World Cup appearances (including 2026) are: Saudi Arabia (7th), Tunisia (7th), Morocco (7th), Algeria (5th), Egypt (4th), Qatar (2nd), and Jordan (1st).