LONDON: Whatever happens at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the coming weeks, Arab football fans will have mixed memories of the group stage. Followers of Egypt, Algeria and Morocco will be happy at going through but for the other five on their way home, there will be regret, disappointment and, in some cases, surprise at what happened.
That will especially be the case for those in the Asian Football Confederation as none of the four made it through. That includes back-to-back continental champions Qatar, who endured perhaps the worst result, a 6-0 thrashing against Canada, a team that had never previously won a World Cup game. Despite hiring former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui in 2025, the Maroons’ collection of just a point in what was far from the toughest group is a massive underachievement.
Saudi Arabia will be kicking themselves at missing out. Changing coach from Herve Renard to Georgios Donis in April was a gamble that did not pay off. It started well with a 1-1 draw over Uruguay, meaning the subsequent 4-0 defeat at the hands of Spain was painful but not that consequential. The plan was still in place: Beat Cape Verde to go through in second place. Yet it ended 0-0 in a performance that lacked intensity, urgency and imagination against a team playing in a first World Cup.
Jordan will be happier. Three losses is never satisfactory but the men from Amman were competitive in a first appearance, despite some injury issues. A 3-1 loss against Austria in the opener did not reflect the match, with goalkeeping errors making a difference. Then there was a narrow loss to Algeria when Jordan took the lead, and a final game defeat to defending champions Argentina and an in-form Messi.
There will be mixed feelings in Baghdad. Iraq were the last to qualify, going through the playoffs to get that final place in March yet being rewarded with the toughest of groups. To put it bluntly, the Lions of Mesopotamia had never been exposed to such quality of opposition before and the difference was too much. Losing to Norway and France was expected, with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe deadly, though the 5-0 defeat to Senegal was not the end anyone wanted.
Tunisia also conceded 12 goals. The opening 5-1 defeat against Sweden, seen as the weakest of the other three teams, ended any hopes and also cost Sabri Lamouchi his job as coach. In came Herve Renard and it would have been a little embarrassing for football bosses in Riyadh if the Frenchman had turned things around and taken Tunisia through. He did not and the Carthage Eagles are the only African nation to fall at the first hurdle.
That means there are three remaining teams for fans in the region to get behind. Morocco were seen as the best bet before it all started and little has happened to change that. The 2022 semifinalists started with a 1-1 draw against Brazil that was, if anything, a little disappointing, but then came the expected wins over Scotland and Haiti, though conceding two goals against the World Cup debutants will be a cause for concern going forward.
Finishing behind Brazil on goal difference means a round of 32 clash against the Netherlands. It is going to be a titanic tussle. The Dutch have star power all over the field but the Japanese caused major problems when pushing forward. If the Atlas Lions get through this then they will be strong favorites to beat either Canada or South Africa to reach the last eight and then anything can happen.
Even, eventually, a potential meeting with Algeria, who enjoyed a roller coaster of a group stage. It started with a 3-0 loss to Argentina and a Messi hat trick. The Desert Foxes had to come back from a goal down against Jordan to win 2-1, which meant that a draw would be enough in the final game against Austria. Losing 1-0 and then 2-1, they needed two goals from Riyad Mahrez to get the 3-3 draw and a decent tie against Switzerland in Vancouver.
Last, and certainly not least, is Egypt, making the knockout stage for the first time thanks to the 3-1 win over New Zealand, which followed the opening 1-1 draw against Belgium. Unlike Algeria, it was a smooth ride into the round of 32. Next week’s clash against Australia will be fascinating. It will, however, have to be negotiated without Mohamed Salah, who has a hamstring injury. Other stars have stepped up already and need to do the same against the Socceroos.
