World Cup 2026: Arab nations aim to build on historic Qatar 2022 run
A record eight Arab teams will compete at the upcoming World Cup, marking a historic moment for the region’s football presence on the global stage
A record eight Arab teams will compete at the upcoming World Cup, marking a historic moment for the region’s football presence on the global stage. From Qatar’s role as 2022 hosts to Morocco’s landmark semi-final run, Arab football has been steadily reshaping expectations at the tournament.
While Qatar failed to win a match on home soil, the Asian champions now aim to respond on away ground against top international opposition. Egypt, the first Arab team to appear at a World Cup in 1934, remains in search of its first tournament victory despite continental success.
Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Tunisia all carry distinct histories of breakthrough moments and unexpected results on the world stage. Saudi Arabia’s famous win over Argentina in 2022 remains one of the tournament’s biggest shocks. Morocco’s semi-final run in Qatar set a new benchmark for Arab and African football alike.
As the next tournament approaches, Arab teams are looking to turn history and momentum into deeper progress on football’s biggest stage. Al Jazeera's Farrah Esmail explains Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
The BriefWire