Great eight: Arab teams set for FIFA World Cup

Doha, Qatar: A record eight Arab nations will compete at this month’s expanded FIFA World Cup 2026. As well as every minute of all104 matches available to watch live across the Middle East and North Africa exclusively on beIN Sports, the region’s leading sports and entertainment broadcaster will also air specially produced original content.

Alongside a series of documentaries profiling each of the participating Arab teams– exploring their strengths, ambitions, and journey to the World Cup–beIN Sports Max 1-4,as well as beIN 4K, will broadcast Legend & Legacy, a 30-minute documentary on the legacy of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Qatar’s continued development since hosting the tournament. milkshake.it.com

Featuring a range of prominent voices and contributors, including Sir David Beckham, Ronaldo Nazario, and Kaka, the documentary offers insights into the country’s world-class infrastructure, its position as a global events destination, and the growing international recognition of its diplomatic, organisational and leadership capabilities.

Once the competition gets underway on 11 June, beIN will also broadcast a series of short films spotlighting the journeys of the Arab sides.

Entitled My Country, beIN goes behind the scenes during a World Cup match of each of the eight countries, from Iraq to Saudi Arabia, Jordan to Algeria, living the build-up, watching the game, and capturing the passion for football in each nation.

Revisiting those teams who progress, an evergreen documentary will also be produced to run after the final wraps on 19 July.

With beIN closely following each of the eight teams, we take a look at one star from each expected to shine in North America this summer.

Riyad Mahrez, Algeria (Group J)

Captain Riyad Mahrez will be trusted to help the Fennec Foxes progress to the knockout stages — a feat they have achieved only once. The Al-Ahli Jeddah winger averages a goal every three games at international level and will be extra motivated as, with 113 caps, he is just four appearances away from being Algeria’s most-capped player of all time.

Also keep an eye on: Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad)

Catch Algeria’s opening match against Argentina on 17 June at 04:00 MECCA, live on beIN Sports Max 1 & beIN Sports Max 3 in Arabic, and on beIN Sports Max 5 in English.

Mohamed Salah, Egypt (Group G)

Where Mohamed Salah will be playing post-World Cup remains unknown, but for now his focus is on Egypt. The Pharaohs are huge underachievers on the global stage having qualified for the World Cup only once since 1990 and are yet to ever win a World Cup match. With a motivated Salah, they will fancy progressing from a group that includes Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand.

Also keep an eye on: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)

Catch Egypt’s opening match against Belgium on 15 June at 22:00 MECCA, live on beIN Sports Max 2 & beIN Sports Max 4 in Arabic, and on beIN Sports Max 5 in English.

Aymen Hussein, Iraq (Group I)

The decisive goal that saw Iraq qualify came from the 30-year-old Al-Karma striker, who celebrated his country’s return to the global stage for the first time in 40 years by posting a video from 2017 in which he stated his goal was to take Iraq back to the World Cup. Mission accomplished, the Lions of Mesopotamia will hope to surprise in a group that includes France, Senegal, and Norway.

Also keep an eye on: Ali Al Hamadi (Luton Town)

Catch Iraq’s opening match against Norway on 17 June at 01:00 MECCA, live on beIN Sports Max 2 & beIN Sports Max 4 in Arabic, and on beIN Sports Max 5 in English.

Musa Al-Taamari, Jordan (Group J)

Jordan will make their World Cup debut this summer, 40 years after their first qualifying campaign. Rennes winger Musa Al-Taamari is one of only a handful of players plying their trade outside of Asia and will carry the responsibility of a nation. Aged 28, the captain has netted 24 goals in 90 games, including in an Asian Cup semi-final win and a further seven during World Cup qualifying.

Also keep an eye on: Yazan Al Arab (FC Seoul)

Catch Jordan’s opening match against Austria on 17 June at 07:00 MECCA live on beIN Sports Max 2 & beIN Sports Max 4 in Arabic, and on beIN Sports Max 5 in English.

Achraf Hakimi, Morocco (Group C)

Having shocked the world by reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, more focus will be on the Atlas Lions when they start their 2026 campaign. With the powerful presence of captain Achraf Hakimi — widely regarded as one of the best players on the planet — it speaks volumes that topping a group that includes Brazil, as well as Scotland and Haiti, would no longer be a surprise.

Also keep an eye on: Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal)

Catch Morocco’s opening match against Brazil on 14 June live at 01:00 MECCA, on beIN Sports Max 2 & beIN Sports Max 4 in Arabic, and on beIN Sports Max 5 in English.

Akram Afif, Qatar (Group B)

Qatar will be looking to build on a maiden campaign that underwhelmed and much of their hopes are pinned on Akram Afif once again. The mercurial forward, twice named AFC Player of the Year and winner of the Golden Boot and Best Player at the Asian Cup Qatar 2023, will arrive determined to put points on the board in a favourable group that contains Canada, Bosnia, and Switzerland.

Also keep an eye on: Almoez Ali (Al Duhail)

Catch Qatar’s opening match against Switzerland on 13 June at 22:00 MECCA, live on beIN Sports Max 1 & beIN Sports Max 3 in Arabic, and on beIN Sports Max 5 in English.

Salem Al-Dawsari, Saudi Arabia (Group H)

Known as the man for the big occasion, the Al Hilal attacker shocked the world when he struck the decisive goal to beat Argentina 2-1 in 2022. Now 34, he is still putting in eye-catching performances, and in a group that includes Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde, nobody is more likely to help the Green Falcons progress than the reigning AFC Asian Player of the Year.

Also keep an eye on: Musab Al-Juwayr (Al Qadsiah)

Catch Saudi Arabia’s opening match against Uruguay on 16 June at 01:00 MECCA, live on beIN Sports Max 1 & beIN Sports Max 3 in Arabic, and on beIN Sports Max 5 in English.

Montassar Talbi, Tunisia (Group F)

Drawn with the Netherlands, Sweden, and Japan, Tunisia aim to progress for the first time in seven finals appearances.

Their hopes lie in a defence that did not concede a single goal during qualifying. Montassar Talbi, the 6ft3in centre-back, is key to the Eagles of Carthage’s impenetrable defensive structure.

His reading of the game and on-field leadership will prove critical.

Also keep an eye on: Hazem Mastouri (Dynamo Makhachkala)

Catch Tunisia’s opening match against Sweden on 15 June at 05:00 MECCA, live on beIN Sports Max 2 & beIN Sports Max 4 in Arabic, and on beIN Sports Max 5 in English.

Doha, Qatar: Dutch great Johan Cruyff once reduced football to its simplest truth: to win, you have to score one more goal than your opponent.

It is a lesson Qatar know only too well as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup, where hopes of reaching the knockout stage will depend largely on their ability to find the net.

Four years ago, Qatar’s maiden World Cup campaign ended with three defeats and just one goal scored. Mohammed Muntari’s header against Senegal remains the only World Cup goal in the country’s history, while their attacking unit struggled to make an impact on the biggest stage.

Recent signs have offered little encouragement as Qatar failed to score in their final two warm-up matches, losing 1-0 to Ireland before being held to a goalless draw by El Salvador.

Julen Lopetegui’s attacking options now include a blend of experience and youth, with Akram Afif and Almoez Ali at the core, supported by forwards such as Edmilson Junior, Yusuf Abdurisag and Hassan Al Haydos, alongside younger names looking to break through on the global stage.Qatar goalkeeper Salah Zakaria poses during the FIFA Media Day photoshoot.

Qatar open their World Cup campaign against Switzerland before facing Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B.

The spotlight, however, will inevitably fall on Akram Afif, considered the backbone of Qatar’s attack.

A two-time Asian champion and twice Asian Footballer of the Year, Afif – often dubbed ‘Mr Assist’ – arrives at the World Cup after another strong domestic season with Al Sadd, where he helped his club secure the Qatar Stars League title. His ability to create and finish chances makes him Qatar’s most decisive attacking player.

But the World Cup also presents Afif with an opportunity for redemption. Four years after the disappointment of Qatar 2022, it is time for Afif to shine. Widely regarded as the face of Qatari football, the 29-year-old carries the responsibility of leading an attack still searching for consistency at international level.

Afif himself has not avoided that reality.Hassan Al Haydos

“Now our full focus is on preparing for the World Cup in the best possible way. We did not perform at the required level and the results were not acceptable to me. We will try our best to prove that we deserve to be at the World Cup with a strong performance,” he said after winning his third consecutive Qatar Stars League Best Player award last month.

Afif’s journey has taken him from Aspire Academy to Spain and Belgium, where he became the first Qatari-born player to sign for a La Liga club with Villarreal before establishing himself among Asia’s elite.

Alongside him, Almoez remains a key figure - Qatar’s all-time leading scorer with 60 international goals.

The 29-year-old striker has built his reputation on decisive contributions in major tournaments. He scored a record nine goals in the 2019 Asian Cup triumph and has delivered on several big occasions since.

However, his build-up to the World Cup has been disrupted by injury. The striker underwent surgery late last year and has managed limited minutes in 2026.Qatar's Almoez Ali poses during a photoshoot.

“In [Almoez] Ali’s case, unfortunately he only played around two matches this year because of injuries and surgery,” Lopetegui said recently.

“For this level of competition, rhythm is very important. We hope he improves step by step because all players need minutes to be physically ready.”

Whether Ali starts regularly or is used from the bench remains to be seen.

Qatar will also look to emerging attacking options such as Ahmed Al Janehi, Ahmed Alaa and Tahsin Mohammed.

Whether Lopetegui leans on experience or youth, Qatar still need goals and that remains Al Annabi’s biggest challenge.

أكد سعادة الشيخ سلمان بن إبراهيم آل خليفة رئيس الاتحاد الآسيوي لكرة القدم، أن بطولة كأس العالم 2026، ستكون منارة قوية للوحدة، تجمع الجماهير والثقافات المتنوعة من مختلف أنحاء العالم، وتفتح آفاقا جديدة وملهمة لكرة القدم العالمية. معربا عن دعمه لممثلي الاتحاد الآسيوي الذين يقفون على أعتاب كتابة فصل جديد في تاريخ كرة القدم خلال المونديال.
وتشهد نسخة 2026 التاريخية اعتماد نظام جديد غير مسبوق بمشاركة 48 منتخبا، ما يمهد الطريق أمام أكبر وأقوى تمثيل آسيوي في تاريخ البطولة.
ويتصدر هذه المسيرة التاريخية مزيج مميز من القوى الكروية الراسخة والمنتخبات التي تسجل ظهورها الأول، حيث يحمل كل من الأردن وأوزبكستان، اللذين يشاركان للمرة الأولى، فخر مليارات الآسيويين إلى جانب قطر، أستراليا، وإيران، والعراق، واليابان، وجمهورية كوريا، والسعودية.
وقال: «تستعد منتخباتنا الآسيوية ولاعبونا وحكامنا للظهور على أكبر مسرح في كرة القدم العالمية، وتمثل هذه النسخة محطة تاريخية مهمة للعبتنا العظيمة، ومع توسع البطولة إلى 48 منتخبا عبر ثلاث دول مضيفة، أصبحت أسس النجاح الآسيوي أقوى من أي وقت مضى، وأصبحت قارتنا في وضع مثالي للارتقاء بمكانتها على الساحة العالمية».
وأضاف: «لقد أثبتت مسيرة منتخباتنا عبر التصفيات الآسيوية - الطريق إلى كأس العالم 2026 صلابتها وموهبتها الاستثنائية وسعيها الدائم نحو التميز، والآن باتت المسؤولية تقع عليها لاغتنام هذه الفرصة وتحقيق إنجاز تاريخي.
وتابع: «إلى جميع ممثلي الاتحاد الآسيوي، هذه لحظتكم لإظهار التقدم المستمر والوحدة والجودة التي لا يمكن إنكارها لكرة القدم الآسيوية، لقد منحتم مليارات الجماهير في قارتنا شعورا هائلا بالفخر من خلال تأهلكم إلى صفوة منتخبات العالم، وأنتم تحملون الآن آمال وأحلام أسرتنا الكروية المتنوعة».

Zapopan, Mexico: South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu has some making up to do after missing the birth of his first child because he is preparing for his fourth World Cup.

The 35-year-old stopper is hoping to add to his 86 caps when South Korea face the Czech Republic on Thursday's opening day of the tournament in North America.

But it has come at a personal price, missing the birth of his daughter.

"I am really sorry that I couldn't be with my wife for the birth," the veteran told reporters in Mexico, where the Koreans play in the group stage.

"I want to bring home good results from here as my presents."

Kim, who plays in Japan for FC Tokyo, is likely to get the nod ahead of Jo Hyeon-woo as coach Hong Myung-bo's first choice in goal, Yonhap News Agency said.

"I've played at every World Cup thinking it could be my last," Yonhap quoted Kim as saying.

"Given my age now, this one really does feel like my final one."

South Korea also play South Africa and co-hosts Mexico in Group A.

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