(Credit - Khaleej Times)
Can Another Arab Team Reach World Cup Semis?
If you are following the 2026 World Cup, a recent development changes the environment for Arab nations. With nine Arab countries qualified for the tournament, expectations are rising that another team could make a deep run, following Morocco‘s historic semi-final appearance in 2022.
| Category | Before (2022) | After (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Arab Nations Qualified | 1 (Morocco) | 9 |
| World Cup Format | 32 teams | 48 teams |
For Arab football fans, the key to a successful World Cup campaign lies in several factors, including group-stage seeding, injury and availability of top players, travel and recovery demands, and the ability to win tight matches. The expanded 48-team format in 2026 increases the importance of squad depth, rotation, and marginal gains, such as set pieces and penalty readiness.
The next steps for Arab nations looking to make a deep run in the 2026 World Cup involve:
- Strategic squad selection: Choosing players who can perform well in multiple knockout rounds.
- Effective game management: Managing player workload, substitutions, and tactical decisions to win tight matches.
- Adapting to the new format: Understanding the changed competitive path and knockout rounds in the 48-team format.
