World Cup 2026: Five players from the Middle East to watch out for
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Thu, 06/11/2026 - 15:00
One moment. That’s all a player needs to cement their legend and live on in folklore
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi looks on from the substitutes bench at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on 29 December 2025 (AFP/Gabriel Bouys)
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Players, coaches, and supporters from every corner of the world are descending on Mexico, Canada and the United States as the minutes tick down to the 2026 World Cup.
This year, there are 48 nations chasing glory, with a record eight countries representing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Every team has 26 players in their squad to choose from and here we have picked out five players - one from each MENA nation taking part - that we think you should be keeping an eye on.
Some are already household names thanks to their prolific talent.
But we've also dug a bit deeper to highlight some perhaps lesser-known players who are really worth checking out as the tournament progresses.
Akram Afif - Qatar
Qatar's Akram Afif passes the ball during a friendly against El Salvador at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on 6 June 2026 (AFP/Luiza Moraes)
Left-winger Akram Afif guided Al-Sadd to victory in the Qatar Stars Cup last season and is the Gulf nation's best hope of securing points in their second World Cup appearance.
Having played for the youth teams of both Sevilla and Villarreal, the 29-year-old has shined for both Al-Sadd and Qatar since returning home, scoring 41 goals in 133 appearances for the Maroons.
Described by his former coach Xavi Hernandez as an unbelievable talent, the 2019 Asian Footballer of the Year is Qatar's standout player and will be desperate to shine.
Salem al-Dawsari - Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Salem Al-Dawsari controls the ball in the second half of a friendly match with Puerto Rico at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on 5 June 2026 (AFP/Daniel Jefferson)
The best player in the Middle East?
Salem al-Dawsari, also known as "the Tornado", has regularly scored for the Falcons at global and continental tournaments and could well add to his tally at this year's World Cup.
Last season, he bagged 10 goals across all competitions for Al-Hilal as they won the King's Cup but came second in the Saudi Pro League to Al-Nassr.
The Jeddah native has scored at back-to-back World Cups and helped Saudi Arabia beat Argentia 2-1 four years ago to record one of the biggest shocks in the competition's history.
Ali al-Hamadi - Iraq
Iraq's Ali al-Hamadi dribbles the ball past Bolivia's defender Efrain Morales during their World Cup qualifier final playoff at the BBVA Stadium in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon state, Mexico, on 31 March 2026 (AFP/Julio Cesar Aguilar)
A hero in his native Iraq, Ali Al-Hamadi's rise to prominence is a story of perseverance, determination and steady progression through the English football pyramid.
Born in Iraq and raised in Liverpool, the striker spent years working his way through lower-league football before making his breakthrough with AFC Wimbledon in the 2023-24 season.
Since making his senior debut for Iraq in 2021, the 24-year-old has become an important member of the national setup. His ability to deliver in crucial moments, including scoring a decisive goal in the play-offs, helped Iraq secure their historic qualification.
But Iraq will need him to be at his very best if they are to better their last appearance at the World Cup, which happened 40 years ago this summer, when they scored a solitary goal against Belgium.
Arda Guler - Turkey
Turkey's Arda Guler dribbles the ball past Venezuela's Gleiker Mendoza during the first half of their friendly match at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 6 June 2026 (AFP/Tomas Diniz Santos)
Few young players in world football have generated as much excitement in recent years as Arda Guler.
The attacking midfielder has emerged as one of the brightest talents at Real Madrid, and at this years World Cup the 21-year-old carries the hopes of an entire nation eager to see one of its most gifted prospects succeed.
"Arda is revered in Turkey," says his coach, Vincenzo Montella. "We are talking levels similar to Maradona in Napoli."
Guler's performances at Euro 2024 highlighted his ability to perform under pressure and he helped drive Turkey's run to the quarterfinals, their best major tournament showing in more than a decade.
And just a week before the start of the tournament, Guler was crucial in Turkey's 2-1 comeback victory over Venezuela.
Entering the World Cup as one of the favourites to progress to the next round, given their kind draw in Group D, Guler will have to be at his very best if the Crescent stars are to better their highest-place finish at a World Cup.
Achraf Hakimi - Morocco
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi shoots on goal during a friendly with Norway at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, on 7 June 2026 (AFP/Angela Weiss)
A pivotal member of the Moroccan national team, 27-year-old Achraf Hakimi has set Ligue 1 alight with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Widely considered one of the best full-backs in the world, he played a key role in Morocco's runs to the 2022 World Cup semi-final and the 2025 African Cup of Nations final.
The full-back arrives at the World Cup with more experience and more star quality than ever before, having just won his second Champions League title with PSG.
Primarily a defender, Hakimi is also a strong attacking threat, bagging three assists during qualifying that sealed a place for the Atlas Lions in the World Cup finals.
His lightning surges forward should provide a dangerous outlet for Morocco's talented midfielders, as well as a valuable line of supply for strikers Ayoub El Kaabi and Brahim Diaz.
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