Ranking the Middle East and North African teams at World Cup 2026
Breaking down the eight Middle East and North African teamsâ chances at the World Cup in North America. You can follow the action on Al
Breaking down the eight Middle East and North African teamsâ chances at the World Cup in North America. You can follow the action on Al Jazeeraâs dedicated World Cup 2026 page with all the latest news, match build-up and live text commentary, and keep up to date with group standings, real-time match results and schedules. The Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) will be represented by a record eight teams at the 2026 World Cup: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. Iran, which is geographically in the Middle East, is part of the Central Asian Football Association. The participation of so many Arabic-speaking teams at a World Cup is unprecedented. Moroccoâs historic feat of becoming the first Arab nation to reach the World Cup semifinals at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 has bolstered the confidence of other MENA countries. Some teams believe they now have a shot at reaching the knockout phases in North America. Al Jazeera breaks down the chances of each side before the tournament kicks off on June 11 â˝ Algeria World Cup appearances: 5 (1982, 1986, 2010, 2014, 2026) Best finish: Round of 16 (2014) Overall record: W3 D3 L7 FIFA world ranking: 28 Overview Algeria return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, carrying a familiar sense of optimism tempered by questions over consistency. The Desert Warriors were one of Africaâs most feared sides after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but the years that followed brought more frustration than success, including the heartbreaking failure to qualify for Qatar 2022. Now, back on footballâs biggest stage, Algeria arrive with a talented squad, a blend of experienced leaders and emerging stars and a chance for their golden generation to make one last statement. Strengths Few African teams can match Algeriaâs attacking depth. With Riyad Mahrez providing experience and creativity alongside emerging talents such as Mohamed Amoura and Adil Boulbina, the Desert Warriors possess the quality to trouble any defence. The squad also benefits from a strong core of players competing at a high level in Europe. Weaknesses Defensive inconsistency remains Algeriaâs biggest concern. Head coach Vladimir Petkovic has occasionally struggled to mould his attacking talent into a balanced unit, while uncertainty in the goalkeeping department could become a significant issue heading into the tournament. The draw Algeria face a difficult challenge in Group J alongside defending champions Argentina, Austria and World Cup debutants Jordan. The opening match against Argentina will be a big test, but the Arab derby against Jordan could prove decisive in the battle for qualification before the Desert Warriors conclude the group stage against Austria. If they can avoid defeat against Jordan and take something from Austria, a place in the knockout rounds is well within reach. Players to watch Mahrez remains Algeriaâs talisman and most recognisable player. Amoura brings pace and directness in attack, while Boulbina offers another exciting attacking option. Key takeaway Algeria have enough talent to compete for a place in the knockout rounds, but their success may depend on solving defensive issues and finding the consistency that has sometimes eluded the team since its 2019 AFCON triumph. Prediction Elimination in the round of 32 â˝ Egypt World Cup appearances: 4 (1934, 1990, 2018, 2026) Best finish: Group stage Overall record: W0 D2 L5 FIFA world ranking: 29 Overview Egypt and the conundrum at the heart of African football. This is a headline that could well sum up Egyptâs story with the World Cup. The Pharaohs remain the dominant force in the AFCON with seven trophies, yet they are still chasing their first World Cup victory. For a country that has dominated the continent for decades and produced a long list of stars, this conundrum remains remarkable. So while other Arab teams would be looking to progress further in the tournament, most Egyptians would cherish a victory in the group stage as an achievement in itself. Strengths Egypt are one of Africaâs most dangerous and lethal attacking units. They combine technical quality, experience and pace in transition. Added to this, the Pharaohs benefit from years of competing in high-pressure continental tournaments, a fact which has helped forge a resilient mentality capable of handling the demands of a World Cup. Weaknesses Despite their attacking talent, Egypt can be overly reliant on a handful of key players to provide moments of inspiration. Defensive lapses against top-level opposition have also been a recurring issue, and the team has occasionally struggled to impose itself against the worldâs elite sides. The draw Egypt have been handed a mixed draw in Group G and will fancy their chances of competing for qualification. They will begin their campaign as underdogs against Belgium, given the Red Devilsâ superior depth and quality, but they will view the game against New Zealand as the one they must win before facing one of Asiaâs most disciplined sides, Iran.
The BriefWire