Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, conducted Friday evening at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., set the stage for an intense and historic edition of the global tournament. With the competition expanding to 48 teams and hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, the World Cup is poised to deliver the largest number of matches ever, 104 in total, while offering new opportunities for teams across all continents.
The draw brought mixed fortunes for the seven Arab nations participating. Morocco, Algeria, Jordan, Tunisia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt each discovered their group-stage paths, with several facing world heavyweights in the opening round.
Morocco, semifinalists in the 2022 World Cup and Africa’s most successful representatives in the modern era, landed one of the tournament’s most challenging groups. The Atlas Lions were placed in Group C alongside five-time world champions Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti. Morocco will open their campaign with a high-profile clash against Brazil, a match expected to draw global attention given Morocco’s recent rise and Brazil’s storied history.
Algeria and Jordan both found themselves in Group J, the only group to include two Arab teams. They face formidable opposition in reigning world champions Argentina and a strong Austrian side, creating a demanding route for both Arab representatives. Their head-to-head meeting is already being anticipated as a pivotal moment in the group.
Egypt, returning to the world stage after last appearing in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, was drawn into Group G with Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand. The Pharaohs will open their campaign against Belgium on June 16 before facing New Zealand on June 21 and Iran on June 26. Egypt’s delegation at the draw, which included Egyptian Football Association Vice President Khaled El-Dardirli, head coach Hossam Hassan, and team director Ibrahim Hassan, emphasized the team’s ambition to advance beyond the group stage for the first time.
Meanwhile, Tunisia was placed in Group F, where they will face the Netherlands, Japan, and the winner of a European playoff involving Ukraine or Sweden against Poland or Albania. The Carthage Eagles, known for their consistency in qualifying for World Cups, face a technically demanding group that will test their tactical discipline and tournament experience.
Qatar, host of the 2022 World Cup, will navigate a complex group featuring Canada and the winners of two separate European playoff paths involving Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Switzerland. Saudi Arabia, another major Arab contender, will compete in Group H against European champions Spain, Uruguay, and debutants Cape Verde. Their group is widely regarded as one of the toughest in the tournament.
Iraq could also join the Arab contingent if they qualify through the intercontinental playoff. Should they advance, they will play in Group I with France, Senegal, and Norway, led by star striker Erling Haaland. France, champions in 1998 and 2018, headline a group that promises high-level, fast-paced football.
As anticipation builds across the Arab world, fans are gearing up for what could become a landmark World Cup for the region. With expanded slots and new competitive dynamics, the 2026 edition offers the most promising landscape yet for Arab teams to make deep runs and deliver memorable performances on the global stage.
