14 Muslim-majority Countries at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there are 14 Muslim-majority countries trying to shine.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic chapter in football history, featuring an expanded 48-team format and unprecedented representation from the Muslim world.
Fourteen Muslim-majority countries have qualified for the tournament, and their participation highlights the growing strength and global influence of football across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Several of these nations arrive with impressive credentials. Morocco captured worldwide attention at the 2022 World Cup by becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semifinals, raising expectations for another memorable campaign.
Senegal, African champions in recent years, continue to be one of the continent’s strongest teams, while Egypt, led by a new generation of talent, returns to the global stage with renewed ambition.
In Asia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, and Uzbekistan represent a rapidly developing football region. Iran remains one of Asia’s most consistent performers, while Saudi Arabia seeks to build on the confidence gained from its famous victory over Argentina in 2022.
Qatar, host of the previous World Cup, aims to translate its growing football investment into success on the field. Jordan and Uzbekistan are particularly notable, as both nations are making their FIFA World Cup debuts, a landmark achievement for their football programs.
Africa contributes six Muslim-majority representatives. Alongside Morocco, Senegal and Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Ivory Coast bring rich football traditions and passionate fan bases. Ivory Coast and Algeria are returning to the tournament after previous absences, eager to re-establish themselves among the world’s elite teams.
Europe’s Muslim-majority representatives, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey, add further diversity to the competition. Bosnia and Herzegovina returns to the World Cup after years of rebuilding, while Turkey hopes its blend of experienced players and emerging stars can make a deep run in the tournament.
As the world’s biggest sporting event unfolds across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, these fourteen Muslim-majority nations will carry the hopes of hundreds of millions of supporters. Their presence demonstrates football’s universal appeal and promises to make the 2026 FIFA World Cup one of the most diverse and exciting tournaments ever staged.