Never before has the Arab world, North Africa, and the wider region sent so many flags to football's biggest stage
As the twenty-third FIFA World Cup prepares to kick off across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, one storyline towers above the rest for fans from Rabat to Tehran: the greater region stretching from Morocco and Egypt across the Levant to Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Iran has never been so powerfully represented. A record ten national teams from this vast cultural and geographic belt have booked their places at the first 48-team finals, a tally without precedent in the tournament's 96-year history.
The expansion to 48 teams has opened the door, but it is the depth of talent and decades of institutional investment that have walked through it. From North Africa's perennial heavyweights to first-time debutants, here are the ten teams carrying the hopes of millions.
North Africa's Established Powers
Morocco arrive as the region's standard-bearers and one of the genuine dark horses of the entire tournament. The Atlas Lions stunned the world in 2022 by becoming the first African or Arab nation to reach a World Cup semifinal, and a flawless qualifying campaign — eight wins, only two goals conceded — has only raised expectations. Drawn in Group C against five-time champions Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, Morocco boast genuine stars in Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and playmaker Brahim Diaz. The nation will also co-host the centennial 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
Algeria return with one of Africa's most fearsome attacking units, marshalled by the experienced Riyad Mahrez and the emerging Mohamed Amoura. The Desert Warriors face a daunting Group J that includes defending champions Argentina and Austria, with an Arab derby against debutants Jordan likely to prove decisive.
Tunisia, one of the region's most regular participants, qualify for a seventh time and a familiar challenge: converting group-stage competitiveness into a first knockout appearance. The Eagles of Carthage open in Group F against the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden.
Egypt and the Pharaohs' Quest
Egypt, the first Middle Eastern nation ever to play at a World Cup back in 1934, return for a fourth appearance after missing Qatar 2022 — and the spotlight falls squarely on Mohamed Salah. Africa's most successful side at continental level has never won a single World Cup match, a record the Pharaohs are desperate to break. Their Group G campaign features Belgium, New Zealand and a charged regional clash with Iran, with reaching the knockout stage a realistic target under the new format.
The Gulf and the Hosts of Tomorrow
Saudi Arabia, set to host the 2034 World Cup, qualify for a seventh time as the spearhead of one of football's most ambitious development projects. The Green Falcons — who famously toppled eventual champions Argentina in Qatar — land in a tough Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde, eyeing a third-place finish to reach the last 32.
Qatar, the 2022 hosts, return as a qualified nation in their own right for the first time, drawn into Group B with Canada, Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Continental investment and a settled core give the Maroon a platform to spring a surprise.
History Makers and the Levant's Breakthrough
No story captures the moment better than Jordan. Al-Nashama make their World Cup debut after a breakthrough generation reached the 2023 Asian Cup final and lifted the region with a 7-0 demolition of Pakistan in qualifying. Striker Ali Olwan and the gifted Mousa Al-Tamari headline a side placed in Group J alongside Argentina, Algeria and Austria — modest expectations, historic pride.
Iraq, the Lions of Mesopotamia, end a four-decade World Cup absence after navigating the play-offs, and now face a brutal Group with France, Senegal and Norway. Aerial threat Aymen Hussein and young talents Zidane Iqbal and Ali Jasim carry the nation's renewed footballing hope.
From the Caspian to the Bosphorus
Iran, geographically of the Middle East though competing under the Central Asian Football Association, qualify for a seventh appearance and a fourth in a row — confirming Team Melli's status as one of Asia's most consistent sides. A meeting with Egypt in Group G, alongside Belgium and New Zealand, headlines their campaign.
Τurkey complete the regional contingent and arrive carrying perhaps the most emotional homecoming of all. The Crescent-Stars ended a 24-year wait with a nerve-shredding 1-0 play-off win in Kosovo, sealed by Kerem Akturkoglu, returning to the finals for the first time since their third-place run in 2002. With Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz and captain Hakan Calhanoglu, a thrilling young squad faces co-hosts USA, Australia and Paraguay in Group C.
A Region on the Global Stage
Ten teams, ten distinct stories — from Morocco chasing a final to Jordan savouring a first — together mark the most representative World Cup the greater region has ever known. Whether driven by home-grown academies or thriving diaspora talent, the message from Casablanca to Istanbul is unmistakable: this summer, the world's game belongs a little more to the Levant and its neighbours than ever before. When the whistle blows on June 11, a record share of the planet will be watching its own flags fly.