The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to unfold across North America from June 11th, will mark a historic milestone for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) football. A record-breaking eight teams from the region have officially secured their places in the tournament, signaling a significant shift in global football dynamics driven by the expansion to a 48-team format.
The qualified contingents include Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. Their group stage opponents were determined during the recent draw ceremony in Washington. Additionally, Turkey (competing through UEFA) and Iraq remain in contention, hoping to clinch the final berths via the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026.
This edition represents a substantial evolution from the previous tournament. The 2026 World Cup will span 39 days and feature 104 matches, a major increase from the 64 games in the 32-team Qatar 2022 edition. The action will be hosted in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the inaugural match at Mexico City Stadium and the grand finale set for New Jersey Stadium on July 19th.
The tournament structure introduces 12 groups of four teams each. The top two finishers from every group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a new 32-team knockout stage. Pre-tournament favorites Spain, Argentina, France, and England have been seeded to avoid each other until the semi-finals.
Morocco enters as a regional powerhouse, fresh off its spectacular fourth-place finish in 2022. The Atlas Lions, currently on an unprecedented 18-match winning streak and led by African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi, are drawn in Group C against Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti.
Iran (Team Melli), a consistent Asian qualifier for its seventh appearance, finds itself in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. Egypt, the first-ever MENA participant in the 1934 World Cup, seeks to advance past the group stages for the first time in its history.
Other notable groupings include Algeria’s return after a 12-year absence, placed in Group J with Argentina, Austria, and Jordan—the latter making its World Cup debut. Tunisia, drawn in Group F with the Netherlands and Japan, aims to build on its memorable victory over France in 2022.
Host nation Qatar (Al-Annabi) looks to redeem its 2022 performance in Group B against Canada, Switzerland, and a playoff winner. Saudi Arabia, the future host of the 2034 World Cup, will face a formidable challenge in Group H against top-ranked Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde.
The expanded format not only increases competitive opportunities but also highlights the growing influence and development of football within the MENA region on the world’s biggest sporting stage.