When a record eight Arab nations began the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there was a sense that this expanded 48-team tournament could offer the strongest collective showing yet. There have been plenty of thrilling moments and compelling storylines far but as the competition reached the Round of 16, only two remained.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan and Algeria have all departed North America, leaving Morocco and Egypt to carry Arab hopes into the next phase of the tournament. The two nations’ World Cup stories are profoundly different, however, with Morocco arriving in North America with history behind it and expectation in front. Egypt started the tournament with a burden of its own: a proud football nation still waiting for a World Cup experience befitting of its continental standing.
Morocco’s new standard
Four years ago in Qatar, the Atlas Lions stunned the world by becoming the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semi-final. Victories over Spain and Portugal transformed the way the team was viewed and the impressive performances have continued apace in North America as Mohamed Ouahbi’s side tries to show it now belongs permanently in the latter stages of the World Cup.
