A record eight Arab nations have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
It is the largest Arab contingent in the tournament’s history, double the four that featured in both 2018 and 2022.
The 8 Arab nations and their groups
All eight teams are spread across seven different groups, with one all-Arab clash to look forward to.
According to FIFA’s confirmed line-up, the draw places them as follows:
| Arab team | Group | Other teams in the group | Follow their matches (local times) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | Group B | Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland | Qatar match schedule |
| Morocco | Group C | Brazil, Haiti, Scotland | Morocco match schedule |
| Tunisia | Group F | Netherlands, Japan, Sweden | Tunisia match schedule |
| Egypt | Group G | Belgium, Iran, New Zealand | Egypt match schedule |
| Saudi Arabia | Group H | Spain, Cape Verde, Uruguay | Saudi Arabia match schedule |
| Iraq | Group I | France, Senegal, Norway | Iraq match schedule |
| Algeria | Group J | Argentina, Austria, Jordan | Algeria match schedule |
| Jordan | Group J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria | Jordan match schedule |
Algeria and Jordan share Group J, which guarantees an all-Arab fixture on 22 June. The two top teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed sides, advance to the new round of 32.
Full fixture list for every Arab team
Every Arab team plays its three group matches between 13 and 27 June. All kick-off venues and dates below come from the official tournament schedule.
| Team | Group match | Date & host city |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar | Qatar vs Switzerland | 13 Jun — San Francisco |
| Qatar | Canada vs Qatar | 18 Jun — Vancouver |
| Qatar | Bosnia vs Qatar | 24 Jun — Seattle |
| Morocco | Brazil vs Morocco | 13 Jun — New York/New Jersey |
| Morocco | Scotland vs Morocco | 19 Jun — Boston |
| Morocco | Morocco vs Haiti | 24 Jun — Atlanta |
| Tunisia | Sweden vs Tunisia | 14 Jun — Monterrey |
| Tunisia | Tunisia vs Japan | 20 Jun — Monterrey |
| Tunisia | Tunisia vs Netherlands | 25 Jun — Kansas City |
| Egypt | Belgium vs Egypt | 15 Jun — Seattle |
| Egypt | New Zealand vs Egypt | 21 Jun — Vancouver |
| Egypt | Egypt vs Iran | 26 Jun — Seattle |
| Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | 15 Jun — Miami |
| Saudi Arabia | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | 21 Jun — Atlanta |
| Saudi Arabia | Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | 26 Jun — Houston |
| Iraq | Iraq vs Norway | 16 Jun — Boston |
| Iraq | France vs Iraq | 22 Jun — Philadelphia |
| Iraq | Senegal vs Iraq | 26 Jun — Toronto |
| Algeria | Argentina vs Algeria | 16 Jun — Kansas City |
| Algeria | Jordan vs Algeria | 22 Jun — San Francisco |
| Algeria | Algeria vs Austria | 27 Jun — Kansas City |
| Jordan | Austria vs Jordan | 16 Jun — San Francisco |
| Jordan | Jordan vs Algeria | 22 Jun — San Francisco |
| Jordan | Jordan vs Argentina | 27 Jun — Dallas |
The history-makers among them
Two of the eight are at the World Cup for the first time in a generation or ever. Their stories are the headline acts of the Arab campaign.
Jordan qualified for the first time in the nation’s history. The Nashama open against Austria on 16 June in San Francisco.
Iraq ended a 40-year absence by beating Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental play-off to claim the 48th and final place. It is their first World Cup since 1986.
Morocco arrive as the region’s standard-bearer after reaching the semifinals at Qatar 2022, the best-ever finish by an Arab or African side. They begin against Brazil on 13 June.
How Arab fans can travel to the matches
For the United States, most travellers from Arab countries need a B1/B2 visitor visa. The US State Department notes the B1/B2 is typically valid for up to 10 years with stays of up to six months per entry.
Ticket holders who buy directly from FIFA can opt into FIFA PASS, which offers priority visa interview scheduling. It does not guarantee a visa — all applicants still undergo full vetting.
FIFA PASS Explained: How to Get Your Priority US Visa Access for the 2026 World Cup
Apply as early as possible. Interview wait times in some countries run into many months, so do not leave it until the last weeks before a match.
Entry rules for the other two hosts are lighter for many nationalities:
- Canada: Eligible air travellers need an eTA (CAD 7); others need a visitor visa. Reference “FIFA World Cup 26” when applying.
- Mexico: Most Arab nationals need either a Mexican tourist visa or a valid US, Canadian, UK, Japanese or Schengen visa, which allows visa-free entry. If you already hold a valid US visa for the American matches, you can enter Mexico without a separate Mexican visa. You still need a valid passport and must complete the immigration form on arrival.
- Crossing borders: If you move between hosts to follow your team, you re-clear immigration each time — keep your documents valid for the whole trip.
Planning your trip across the host cities
Arab teams are playing in cities spread across all three countries, so map your travel around your team’s specific venues before booking. Qatar and Egypt fans, for example, will spend most of their group stage on the West Coast and in Western Canada.
Direct long-haul links from the region make the US and Canada reachable in one hop from several hubs. Fans can compare routes and fares from Doha, Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah and Casablanca on Wego.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Travel Plan: A Complete Guide to Visiting the US, Canada, and Mexico
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Arab countries qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
Eight Arab nations qualified: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. It is a record, double the four that played in 2018 and 2022.
Which Arab teams are making their World Cup debut?
Jordan qualified for the first time ever. Iraq returned after a 40-year absence, their first appearance since 1986.
Will any two Arab teams play each other?
Yes. Jordan and Algeria are both in Group J and meet on 22 June in San Francisco.
Do I need a separate visa for each host country?
Likely yes. There is no unified World Cup visa, so you may need a US visa, a Canadian eTA or visa, and a Mexican immigration form depending on your nationality and which matches you attend.
Sources
- FIFA — Qualified Teams for the 2026 World Cup
- FIFA — World Cup 2026 Line-up Complete as Iraq Claim Final Spot
- FIFA — Travel, Visas and FIFA PASS
- US Department of State — FIFA World Cup 26 Visas
- Government of Canada — Information for Fans and Travellers
- Al Jazeera — World Cup 2026 Full Match Schedule, Groups and Start Times
- Al Jazeera — Ranking the MENA Teams at World Cup 2026
- ESPN — 2026 FIFA World Cup Match Schedule and Fixtures
- Fragomen — FIFA Mexico 2026 World Cup Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
