Thirteen Muslim majority nations have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Here’s a guide to the teams which will play in the biggest tournament in history, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and featuring 48 teams.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic milestone for Muslim nations, with a record number of Muslim-majority countries qualifying for football’s biggest tournament.
From North Africa and the Middle East to Central Asia and Europe, Muslim teams will be represented on an unprecedented scale, reflecting the growing strength and competitiveness of football across the Muslim world.
Morocco currently leads the way as the strongest Muslim-majority football nation. The Atlas Lions captured the imagination of football fans around the world during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals.
With players performing at the highest levels of European football, Morocco enters every major tournament as a genuine contender.
MOROCCO
Morocco arrive at the World Cup as the most fancied Muslim team – the first African and Arab nation to have reached a World Cup semi-final.
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Their run in Qatar included victories over Belgium, Spain and Portugal before a fourth-place finish.
The team is spearheaded by Achraf Hakimi of Paris St Germain, one of the world’s elite full-backs, while much of the squad that defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal in Qatar remains intact.
Morocco have qualified for seven World Cups and have become regular contenders at major tournaments.
The North Africans also won the FIFA Arab Cup in 2025 and finished as runners up in the African Nations Cup, underlining the strength of their current generation.
SENEGAL
Senegal are the current champions of Africa.
Their greatest World Cup campaign came in 2002 when they stunned reigning champions France in the opening match and reached the quarter-finals.
They later added the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022 and 2026.
The current squad continues to feature players competing at the highest levels of European football, as well as Sadio Mane who is based in Saudi Arabia.
TURKIYE
Türkiye are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when they stunned the football world by finishing third.
Their qualification was sealed through the European play-offs under Italian coach Vincenzo Montella.
The team boasts attacking talents such as Kerem Aktürkoğlu and a generation aiming to replicate the success of the side led by Hakan Şükür and Rüştü Reçber more than two decades ago.
BOSNIA AND HERZOGOVINA
Bosnia and Herzegovina have qualified for only their second World Cup.
The Balkan nation, which has a Muslim plurality population, last appeared at the tournament in 2014.
Their route to North America was dramatic, defeating four-time world champions Italy in a play-off shootout.
IRAN
Iran will compete in their fourth consecutive World Cup and seventh overall.
The team is led by striker Mehdi Taremi, one of Asia’s most prolific forwards. Despite qualifying consistently, Iran have never advanced beyond the group stage, although they have recorded famous World Cup victories against the United States in 1998 and Wales in 2022.
Many members of the current squad are veterans, including captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh and defender Ehsan Hajsafi, making 2026 likely the last World Cup for several key figures.
Iran will arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than four months after the United States and Israel launched air strikes on the country, triggering a regional conflict that disrupted domestic football and cast doubt over the team’s participation in the tournament.
THE OTHER TEAMS
Egypt
Egypt return to the World Cup after missing out on Qatar 2022.
Egypt are led by Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer.
The seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners are Africa’s most successful national team and will be making their fourth World Cup appearance.
Their last appearance came at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Algeria
Algeria return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 2014.
That tournament in Brazil produced one of the finest performances in Algerian history as they reached the Round of 16 and pushed eventual champions Germany into extra time.
Riyad Mahrez remains the nation’s most celebrated player of the modern era after captaining Algeria to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2019.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia will make their seventh World Cup appearance in 2026.
Their best performance came in 1994, when they reached the Round of 16 on their tournament debut.
The Saudis also produced one of the standout results of the 2022 World Cup, defeating eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in the group stage through goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari.
Saudi Arabia’s participation comes as the kingdom expands its influence in world football ahead of hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Since being awarded the tournament, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in the sport through its domestic league and infrastructure projects, attracting international players and increasing scrutiny of the country’s human rights record.
Qatar
After appearing as hosts in 2022, Qatar have qualified for a World Cup through the qualification process for the first time.
The squad is built around the players who won consecutive AFC Asian Cups. Akram Afif, a two-time Asian Player of the Year, is regarded as one of the finest footballers in Asia, while Almoez Ali remains Qatar’s all-time leading scorer.
Most of the squad came through the Aspire Academy system that transformed the country’s football fortunes.
Jordan
Jordan will make their World Cup debut in 2026.
Their qualification represents the greatest achievement in the country’s football history. The team’s talisman is Mousa Al-Tamari, who became the first Jordanian footballer to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Jordan’s rise has been remarkable. In 2024 they reached their first AFC Asian Cup final and now follow that achievement with a maiden World Cup appearance.
Iraq
Iraq are back at the World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986.
Their qualification campaign was one of the longest in modern football, lasting 21 matches over nearly two-and-a-half years. Iraq have never won or drawn a World Cup match, making 2026 an opportunity to create history.
Iraq’s most significant achievement remains their victory at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, when they defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final to win the tournament for the first time.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan will make their World Cup debut and become the first Central Asian nation ever to appear at the tournament.
Captain Eldor Shomurodov has been the face of Uzbek football for years, while defender Abdukodir Khusanov has emerged as one of the country’s brightest young stars.
For decades Uzbekistan repeatedly fell just short in qualification. Their breakthrough finally arrived in 2025.
Tunisia
Tunisia continue their reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent qualifiers.
Tunisia defeated defending champions France 1-0 at the 2022 World Cup, although the result was not enough to secure qualification for the knockout stages.
Tunisia have qualified for seven World Cups but are still seeking their first appearance beyond the group stage.
