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Join on Telegram Rabat – The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a landmark tournament for Arab football.
For the first time in history, eight Arab nations have qualified for the competition: Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, and Jordan.
That record presence means the Arab world will arrive in North America with more talent, more storylines, and more ambition than ever before.
Some players will carry the pressure of experience. Others will enter the tournament looking for their first major World Cup moment.
From Achraf Hakimi’s leadership with Morocco to Mohamed Salah’s unfinished business with Egypt and Riyad Mahrez’s return with Algeria, the to00urnament will feature several Arab players worth watching closely.
Here are the best Arab players to keep an eye on at the 2026 World Cup.
Achraf Hakimi – Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain
Achraf Hakimi has to lead the list.
The Morocco captain is not only one of the best Arab players in the world, but also one of the finest right-backs in modern football. At Paris Saint-Germain, Hakimi has become a complete full-back: quick, aggressive, technically sharp, and dangerous in the final third.
Hakimi was one of the faces of Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup campaign, when the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals.
He did not score in Qatar, but his influence was massive. His Panenka penalty against Spain in the round of 16 became one of the defining images of Morocco’s run.
Hakimi has already played in two World Cups, in 2018 and 2022, and has 10 World Cup appearances before the 2026 edition. His World Cup goal record still stands at zero, which gives him another personal target this summer.
After winning the Champions League this year, Hakimi became one of the most decorated African players in football history, with 19 trophies across spells at Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain.
His Champions League record adds another layer to his status. Hakimi became only the second African player after Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o to win the UEFA Champions League three times.
Mohamed Salah – Egypt, Liverpool
Mohamed Salah returns to the 2026 World Cup with unfinished business.
The Egypt captain scored two goals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but Egypt lost all three group-stage matches and left the tournament without a point.
Eight years later, Salah arrives with another chance to lead the Pharaohs on the biggest stage.
Salah remains one of the greatest Arab footballers of all time. At Liverpool, he built a legendary career, winning the Premier League, the Champions League, and several individual awards. For Egypt, he is still the main star, the captain, and the player opponents will fear most.
His World Cup record before 2026 stands at two goals in two appearances. That is a strong personal record, but Salah will want more than individual numbers this time. Egypt are still chasing their first World Cup win, and Salah will carry much of that responsibility.
Brahim Diaz – Morocco, Real Madrid
Brahim Diaz gives Morocco a different kind of attacking weapon.
The Real Madrid forward is creative, sharp in tight spaces, and able to play across several attacking positions. He can operate as a right winger, attacking midfielder, or inside forward, making him valuable in tournament football.
Diaz has not scored at a World Cup yet, and 2026 is expected to be his first appearance in the competition. But he enters the tournament with experience at Real Madrid and AC Milan, two clubs where pressure is part of daily life.
His ability to carry the ball, combine quickly, and break compact defenses could be important for Morocco, especially in matches where opponents sit deep.
Riyad Mahrez – Algeria, Al-Ahli
Riyad Mahrez returns to the World Cup stage as Algeria’s biggest name.
The former Manchester City winger was part of Algeria’s 2014 World Cup squad, when the Desert Foxes reached the round of 16 and pushed Germany into extra time.
Mahrez did not score in that tournament, meaning his World Cup goal record still stands at zero.
Since then, Mahrez has become one of the most decorated Arab players of his generation. He won the Premier League, the Champions League, and the Africa Cup of Nations, while building a reputation for elegance, control, and decisive left-footed moments.
Now playing for Al-Ahli, Mahrez remains Algeria’s main source of creativity. His passing, crossing, set pieces, and ability to slow the game down can still hurt any opponent.
Omar Marmoush – Egypt, Manchester City
Omar Marmoush could be one of Egypt’s most important players in 2026.
While Salah will attract most of the attention, Marmoush gives Egypt another serious attacking option. He is quick, direct, and capable of playing through the middle or from wide areas.
Marmoush has not scored at a World Cup yet, with 2026 set to be his first appearance in the competition. That makes him one of the Arab players with the biggest chance to surprise global audiences.
At Manchester City, Marmoush has been exposed to one of the most demanding football environments in Europe. That experience could help Egypt in tight World Cup matches where small details decide everything.
Ismael Saibari – Morocco, PSV Eindhoven
Ismael Saibari enters the World Cup as one of Morocco’s most exciting midfielders.
The PSV Eindhoven player has developed into a powerful and productive attacking midfielder. He can carry the ball, press high, make late runs into the box, and score from midfield.
Saibari has not scored at a World Cup yet, but his recent rise at club level has made him one of the Moroccan players to watch.
He was named the best player in the Dutch league after a standout season with PSV, where he produced strong goal and assist numbers.
For Morocco, Saibari offers energy and vertical running. He is different from the team’s more technical midfielders because he can attack space directly and arrive in dangerous positions.
Salem Al-Dawsari – Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal
Salem Al-Dawsari already owns one of the most famous Arab goals in World Cup history.
The Saudi winger scored the winner against Argentina in 2022, helping Saudi Arabia produce one of the biggest shocks in tournament history.
He also scored at the 2018 World Cup against Egypt, giving him three World Cup goals across the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Al-Dawsari remains Saudi Arabia’s most dangerous attacking player. With Al-Hilal, he has won major domestic and continental titles and established himself as one of the best Saudi players of his generation.
His experience will matter in 2026, especially with Saudi Arabia facing a difficult group. He knows what it feels like to score on the World Cup stage, and that confidence is rare.
Akram Afif – Qatar, Al-Sadd
Akram Afif is Qatar’s creative leader.
The Al-Sadd forward was one of the stars of Qatar’s Asian Cup success and remains the player most capable of producing something special for his national team.
Afif played at the 2022 World Cup, but Qatar lost all three group matches as hosts. He did not score in that tournament, meaning his World Cup goal record is still zero.
Since then, Qatar have rebuilt confidence by winning another Asian Cup and qualifying for the World Cup through the qualification route for the first time.
Mousa Al-Taamari – Jordan, Stade Rennais
Mousa Al-Taamari will carry Jordan’s hopes in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
The Stade Rennais forward is the biggest name in Jordanian football and one of the key reasons the team reached this historic stage. He is fast, direct, and brave in one-on-one situations.
Al-Taamari has never played at a World Cup before, so he has no goals in the competition yet. But that makes his story even more interesting. For Jordan, 2026 is not just another tournament. It is the country’s first chance to show itself on football’s biggest stage.
He has already broken ground for Jordanian football in Europe, becoming a symbol for a generation of players who believe they can compete outside the region.
Aymen Hussein – Iraq, Iraq National Team
Aymen Hussein will lead Iraq’s attack on their return to the World Cup.
Iraq are back at the tournament for the first time since 1986, and Hussein is one of the players who made that dream possible. He scored the decisive goal against Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff, sending Iraq to the World Cup after a 40-year wait.
Hussein has never scored at a World Cup because Iraq have not appeared in the tournament during his career. That makes 2026 his first opportunity to do it on the biggest stage.
He is a physical striker, strong in the air, and dangerous inside the penalty area. Iraq will likely need him to hold the ball, fight against defenders, and convert limited chances.
Why Arab Players Matter in 2026
The 2026 World Cup could be a turning point for Arab football.
Morocco changed the conversation in 2022 by reaching the semi-finals. Egypt return with Salah still chasing a defining World Cup moment. Algeria are back after 12 years away. Qatar want to move beyond the disappointment of 2022.
Saudi Arabia hope to revive the spirit of their famous win over Argentina. Iraq and Jordan arrive with powerful comeback and debut stories.
For Hakimi, the tournament is a chance to lead Morocco again and add a World Cup goal to his career.
For Salah and Mahrez, it may be one of the final opportunities to shape their legacy on this stage.
For Brahim, Saibari, Marmoush, Al-Taamari, and Aymen Hussein, it could be the tournament that introduces them to a much wider global audience.
Arab football will not arrive in North America as a side story.
It will arrive with stars, history, pressure, and players capable of creating unforgettable World Cup moments.
