The state of Arab football has never been healthier. As a generation of new stars emerge, a record-setting eight MENA countries have qualified for this summer’s festival of football in North America. Here is our articulated rundown of what you need to know…
Algeria
Nickname: Desert Foxes
World Ranking (as of May 2026): 27
World Cup appearances: 5 (1982, 1986, 2010, 2014, 2026)
Best finish: Round of 16 (2014)
Overall record: W3 D3 L7
Coach: Vladimir Petkovic
Players of note: Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura, Ismaël Bennacer
After the collective heartbreak of missing out on Qatar 2022, Les Fennecs didn’t just qualify for 2026—they bulldozed their way through the CAF qualifiers, sealing their ticket with a swaggering 3-0 win over Somalia.
Now they’re back on football’s biggest stage, and their group stage draw is pure box office. This June, they are staring down a massive showdown with reigning world champions Argentina in Kansas City, a gritty European test against Austria, and a spectacularly spicy all-Arab derby against Jordan in California.
The squad right now is a glorious mix of wily veterans and electric young talent. Riyad Mahrez is still wearing the captain’s armband, pulling strings and cutting inside on that legendary left foot for Al-Ahli. But crucially, it’s not just the Mahrez show anymore. Mohamed Amoura has been terrorizing Bundesliga defences for Wolfsburg, while Rayan Aït-Nouri and Ismaël Bennacer bring elite European pedigree from Manchester City and AC Milan, respectively.
Sure, their recent 2025 AFCON campaign ended in a frustrating quarter-final exit to Nigeria earlier this year, but they looked absolutely ruthless during the Arab Cup qualifiers, smashing Bahrain 5-1 and outclassing Iraq 2-0. When this team clicks, they play with a frantic, beautiful chaos that is completely impossible to defend against.
Can they make a deep run this summer? If they can channel their trademark intensity without boiling over, absolutely. Getting out of a group featuring Argentina is a monumental task, but if there’s one thing you never do, it’s write off the Desert Foxes when they have a massive point to prove. Grab your popcorn.
Egypt
Nickname: The Pharaohs
World Ranking: 28
World Cup appearances: 4 (1934, 1990, 2018, 2026)
Best finish: Group stage
Overall record: W0 D2 L5
Coach: Hossam Hassan
Players of note: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Zizo
Let’s be honest: for a while, the Egyptian national team felt a bit like a one-man band desperately hoping that man didn’t get injured. But the Pharaohs heading to North America this summer are a completely different beast. Head coach Hossam Hassan has genuinely weaponized this squad, and they booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a flawless, unbeaten qualifying run, casually racking up 26 points to top their group without breaking a sweat.
Their reward? Group G, which is arguably one of the most tantalizing draws of the tournament. They’ll be trading blows with a still-dangerous Belgium, looking to handle business against New Zealand, and facing off in a highly anticipated clash with Iran. For a team that has never won a World Cup match, this year getting to the knockout rounds isn’t just a hopeful dream, but a completely realistic expectation.
Yes, the 2025 AFCON campaign ended in familiar, agonizing fashion with a narrow semi-final loss to Senegal, but the squad’s resilience is undeniable. Mohamed Salah remains the undisputed king of Egyptian football, but the sheer relief is that he no longer has to do it all himself. Omar Marmoush has evolved into a legitimate superstar—earning a massive move to Manchester City—and adds a lethal, dynamic edge to the attack alongside the ever-reliable Trezeguet. At the back, Mohamed Abdelmonem is holding it down with the composure you’d expect from a key defender at Nice.
Hassan is even sprinkling in some exciting youthful chaos, calling up highly-rated teenage forward Hamza Abdelkareem straight from Barcelona B.
This isn’t the Egypt that relies on sitting deep and hoping for a miracle counter-attack. They are balanced, they are dangerous, and they have the attacking firepower to make life absolutely miserable for anyone they face in Seattle or Vancouver. The King finally has his court, and they are ready to make some noise.
Iraq
Nickname: The Lions of Mesopotamia
World Ranking: 57
World Cup appearances: 2 (1986, 2026)
Best finish: Group stage
Overall record: W0 D0 L3
Coach: Graham Arnold
Players of note: Aymen Hussein, Ali Al-Hamadi and Zidane Iqbal
Let’s take a second to appreciate the absolute scenes in Baghdad recently. After a staggering 40-year drought—their last appearance was all the way back in Mexico 1986—the Lions of Mesopotamia finally clawed their way back to the World Cup. They did it the hard way, being the final team to book their place after grinding out a nerve-shredding 2-1 playoff victory over Bolivia, and frankly, the nationwide celebrations alone were worth the four-decade wait.
Under the guidance of battle-tested Australian coach Graham Arnold, this squad operates on pure heart, grit, and a deeply ingrained “Iraqi mentality” that makes them uniquely frustrating to play against. But make no mistake, they have genuine quality, too. Up top, you have the dynamic Ali Al-Hamadi, who has been sharpening his tools in English football with Ipswich and Luton Town, alongside the veteran target-man and playoff hero Aymen Hussein.
In the middle of the park, all eyes will be on Zidane Iqbal. The elegant former Manchester United prospect, now pulling strings for FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie, has the technical class to unlock tight games. Keep an eye out for rising star Ali Jasim on the wing as well, who brings the kind of raw, unpredictable energy every tournament team needs.
They will need absolutely every ounce of that fight because the football gods did them no favours with the draw. Placed into Group I, they are facing an absolutely brutal gauntlet: 2018 champions France, a Norway side boasting Erling Haaland, and African heavyweights Senegal.
Is it the Group of Death? Unquestionably. Are they the underdogs? Massively. But this is a team that thrives when their backs are against the wall. Expect them to put their bodies on the line, defend like their lives depend on it, and give Group I a lot more trouble than anyone anticipates.
Jordan
Nickname: Nashama
World Ranking: 63
World Cup appearances: 1 (1986, 2026)
Best finish: n/a
Overall record: W0 D0 L0
Coach: Jamal Sellami
Players of note: Mousa Al-Tamari, Ali Olwan
Nobody saw this coming, and that’s exactly what makes Jordan so incredibly fun. For the very first time in their history, the Nashama are heading to the World Cup. When they officially punched their ticket by thrashing Oman 3-0 in Muscat last June, the streets of Amman essentially shut down for a week-long party. And honestly? They deserved every second of it.
Moroccan head coach Jamal Sellami has built a squad that plays with the absolute freedom of a team playing with house money. They are relentless, they press like maniacs, and they counter-attack with genuinely terrifying speed. At the centre of it all is their undisputed talisman, Mousa Al-Tamari. The “Jordanian Messi” has been tearing up Ligue 1 with Rennes, racking up goals and assists, and he brings a level of elite European swagger that this team has historically lacked. At the back, Yazan Al-Arab provides the crucial defensive steel they need to survive against top-tier opposition, while returning captain Ehsan Haddad brings much-needed leadership after a long injury layoff.
The mood isn’t entirely perfect, though. The squad was dealt a gut-punch with the news that star striker Ali Olwan is in a race against time to recover from injury to play. Replacing his attacking output is Sellami’s biggest headache heading into the summer.
As for the draw? Welcome to the big leagues, Jordan. They will be making their World Cup debut against Austria in San Francisco, followed by an incredibly spicy, all-Arab showdown with Algeria. And then, the grand finale: staring down Lionel Messi and Argentina in Texas.
Can they actually get out of the group? It’s a massive mountain to climb for a debutant. But when you are making your first-ever appearance on the global stage, every single tackle, sprint, and goal is history in the making. The Nashama have absolutely nothing to lose, which will make them so fun to follow.
Morocco
Nickname: The Atlas Lions
World Ranking: 8
World Cup appearances: 8 (1970, 1986, 1994,
Best finish: Semi Finals (2002)
Overall record: W5 D7 L11
Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi
Players of note: Brahim Díaz, Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou
If their historic run to the semi-finals at Qatar 2022 was the ultimate underdog story, the Morocco heading into 2026 is an entirely different proposition. They aren’t just a “feel-good story” anymore—they are unquestionable heavyweights.
While that magical 2022 squad has since been injected with even more top-tier European pedigree, and turned into a devastatingly efficient machine, the recent departure of coach Walid Regragui following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, has stirred things up a little bit.
That said, new coach Mohamed Ouahbi has a squad depth rarely seen from an Arab nation before at a World Cup. Achraf Hakimi continues to be the best right-back in world football, bombing up and down the flank for PSG. Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz pledged his allegiance to the Atlas Lions and has added a silky, world-class creative spark in the midfield, perfectly complementing the tireless work rate of Azzedine Ounahi. Up top, Soufiane Rahimi (who has been unplayable for Al Ain) and veteran Ayoub El Kaabi provide relentless attacking firepower. And if anyone actually manages to break through their defensive lines, they still have to find a way past Yassine Bounou, who remains an absolute brick wall for Al Hilal.
They absolutely cruised through the CAF qualifiers, stringing together routine wins with the supreme confidence of a team that knows exactly how good they are. Their reward is a mouthwatering World Cup draw that includes a blockbuster June clash against five-time champions Brazil in New York/New Jersey, alongside gritty tests against Scotland and Haiti.
Forget just getting out of the group; this team is built for a deep, chaotic, entirely plausible run to the final weekend. The Atlas Lions may have been the surprise package last time out, but this World Cup they are genuine Dark Horse contenders.
Qatar
Nickname: The Maroons
World Ranking: 55
World Cup appearances: 2 (2022, 2026)
Best finish: Group stage (2022)
Overall record: W0 D0 L3
Coach: Julen Lopetegui
Players of note: Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al-Haydos
The elephant in the room is that 2022 didn’t exactly go to plan for the host nation. But if you think the Maroons are arriving in North America just to make up the numbers, you haven’t been paying attention to Asian football. They didn’t just sulk and rebuild—they doubled down, defended their Asian Cup crown, brought in heavy-hitting Spanish tactician Julen Lopetegui to steer the ship, and officially punched their 2026 ticket by grinding out a crucial 2-1 qualifying victory over the UAE.
The squad Lopetegui is bringing across the Atlantic is a deeply intriguing blend of established Qatari royalty and unexpected fresh blood. Akram Afif remains the undisputed creative engine, pulling the strings for Al Sadd with the kind of flamboyant, electrifying vision that can unlock any defence on his day. Beside him, the ever-reliable Almoez Ali is still doing exactly what he does best: scoring goals for fun at Al-Duhail. The lessons learnt from four years ago will need to be demonstrated by Qatar’s talismanic captain Hassan Al-Haydos. Always the first to lead by example, his work rate will be crucial in keeping the momentum rolling for a side (and a manager) that feels it has something to prove
The draw has handed them a thoroughly fascinating, wide-open group stage. They will kick off their campaign against a relentlessly organized Switzerland at Levi’s Stadium in California, head up to Vancouver to face tournament co-hosts Canada in what will undoubtedly be a chaotic, hostile atmosphere, and finish with a gritty test against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle.
Can they advance? It’s going to be an absolute dogfight. But this is a squad armed with a massive chip on their shoulder and genuine tactical rigidity under Lopetegui. The Maroons are desperate for World Cup redemption, and they have the firepower to ruin a few summer plans along the way.
Saudi Arabia
Nickname: The Green Falcons
World Ranking: 61
World Cup appearances: 7 (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Best finish: Round of 16 (1994)
Overall record: W4 D2 L13
Coach: Georgios Donis
Players of note: Salem Al-Dawsari, Saud Abdulhamid, Feras Albrikan
If there is one absolute truth about the Saudi Arabian national team, it’s that they absolutely refuse to do things the boring way. You’d think qualifying for their seventh World Cup with a gritty 0-0 draw against Iraq in front of 60,000 screaming fans in Jeddah would mean smooth sailing to North America, right? Wrong. Less than two months before the tournament kicks off, they dramatically parted ways with Hervé Renard—the man who masterminded their legendary, shock victory over Argentina in 2022.
Enter Georgios Donis. The Greek tactician was essentially parachuted into the head coaching job this April, but here’s the brilliant twist: Donis knows Saudi football better than almost anyone on the planet, having managed everyone from Al Hilal to Al Khaleej. He’s got the ultimate tactical crash course ahead of him, and he’s inheriting a squad packed with undeniable, game-changing talent.
The undisputed talisman is still Salem Al-Dawsari. The Al Hilal legend hasn’t lost a single step, recently bagging a casual hat-trick in the Saudi Pro League and continuing to look like a man who can conjure magic out of absolutely nothing. Crucially, the Saudi game is now successfully exporting its talent. Keep your eyes on flying full-back Saud Abdulhamid, who has been tearing up Ligue 1 with Lens, alongside young midfield prospect Marwan Al-Sahafi who is currently cutting his teeth in Belgium with Royal Antwerp.
The Green Falcons will need every ounce of that combined domestic and European flair because their World Cup draw is genuinely brutal. They kick off their campaign against a relentless Uruguay in Miami, before facing European heavyweights Spain in Atlanta. Two bad results and things might already be wrapped up before the tie against minnows Cape Verde in Houston.
Can Donis organize this squad in record time? Can they replicate that famous 2022 giant-killing energy? It’s Saudi Arabia. The buildup has been pure chaos, the talent is undeniably there, and literally anything could happen. Bring on the madness.
Tunisia
Nickname: The Eagles of Carthage
World Ranking: 44
World Cup appearances: 7 (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006,2018, 2022, 2026)
Best finish: Group Stage
Overall record: W3 D5 L10
Coach: Sabri Lamouchi
Players of note: Hannibal Mejbri, Ellyes Skhiri, and Rani Khedira
If the phrase “defence wins games” is true, the rest of Group H should be terrified of Tunisia right now. The Eagles of Carthage didn’t just qualify for North America; they essentially built a brick wall across the entire African continent. They marched through their ten qualifying matches with an absolutely absurd stat line: nine wins, one draw, 22 goals scored, and exactly zero goals conceded. You read that right. Not a single team managed to breach goalkeeper Aymen Dahmene’s net during the entire campaign.
But they aren’t just sitting back and hoping for a 0-0 draw. Since taking over, new head coach Sabri Lamouchi has completely shaken up the roster after a frustrating penalty-shootout exit to Mali in the Round of 16 at the 2025 AFCON. He is bringing a squad packed with European grit to the World Cup. In midfield, the tireless Ellyes Skhiri is dominating for Eintracht Frankfurt, while the wildly entertaining Hannibal Mejbri continues to develop his game at Burnley. Lamouchi has even pulled off a massive coup by convincing Union Berlin veteran Rani Khedira to pledge his allegiance to Tunisia, adding even more steel to the centre of the park alongside Copenhagen’s flying winger Elias Achouri.
They will need every ounce of that tactical discipline because their World Cup draw is incredibly tricky. Slotted into Group F, they’ll be facing off against Sweden, a technically gifted Japan side, and the Netherlands.
Can they get out of the group? The Dutch and the Japanese might be the favourites on paper, but let’s not forget this is the exact same Tunisian team that historically stunned France 1-0 at Qatar 2022. They are impossibly hard to break down, they thrive on frustrating big teams, and they are heading to North America with the ultimate defensive swagger.