Iran is the first MENA team to qualify for football’s biggest tournament, set to take place in the US, Canada and Mexico next year [Getty/TNA]
Dramatic 2026 World Cup qualification matches took place this week, which saw some of the region’s top teams aim to secure their place at next year’s tournament. Iran is the first team from the Middle East and North Africa to qualify, while the likes of Jordan, Morocco, and Egypt are also on track.
The chances for World Cup qualification might be slim for Palestine, but their 2-1 win against Iraq gave fans a glimmer of hope as the Palestinian territories continue to suffer from Israeli oppression.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia could see itself hosting some of cricket’s most high-profile cricketers, as it prepares to spend as much as $800 million on the T20 league.
Iran first MENA team to qualify for World Cup
Iran’s national team was the first side from the MENA region to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup, following a successive run in the qualifying stages.
Team Melli booked their place in the North America tournament following a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan, which saw two goals from talisman Mehdi Taremi, despite his struggling with Inter Milan this season due to injury.
“A great player must help both technically and physically. Taremi is one of them, and even though he plays for a great team and is not in good condition and could have missed the season, he played and was with the team and played for the people,” coach Amir Ghalenoei said after the match.
Taremi scored both the equalizer and the winning goals, during the 52nd and 83rd minutes.
Iran’s draw at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday made them the sixth team overall to qualify for the competition, set to take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico next year.
New Zealand and Japan, as well as the host countries, qualified before Iran. Defending champions Argentina also booked their ticket to the competition soon after.
During their campaign, Iran won games against the UAE, Kyrgyzstan and Qatar. There are two games left in the qualification stages, but Iran has secured the points that guarantee them the top spot in their group, and thus a place in next year’s finals.
Some concerns, however, have been raised over the ability of fans, players, and their staff’ to travel to the United States next year, as Iran will be likely targeted by a travel ban issued by the Donald Trump administration.
Iran is listed among 41 countries that could see a partial or full ban on entering the United States.
Jordan is the other MENA team from the Asian continent that could book its place in the 2026 finals, following a draw with South Korea on Tuesday, and their current second-place position in Group B.
The side has two tough matches remaining – against Oman and Iraq – which they must win to qualify.
In Africa, North African teams won their qualifying matches comfortably over the week, putting themselves on track for an automatic place next year.
Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt strengthen their bids with wins over Niger and Tanzania, Mozambique and Botswana and Sierra Leone and Ethiopia.
Tunisia also sits firmly on top of their group, respectively.
Palestine stuns Iraq with stoppage-time winner to keep World Cup hopes alive
Palestine pulled off a stunning late comeback against Iraq on Tuesday night, securing a dramatic victory to keep their World Cup qualifying dreams alive.
The match at Amman International Stadium seemed destined for an Iraqi win after Aymen Hussein’s first-half strike put them ahead, a lead they held until the dying moments.
But in a thrilling finale, Wessam Abou Ali leveled the game for Palestine in the 88th minute, before defender Ameed Mahajna rose highest from a corner in stoppage time, thundering a header past the goalkeeper to seal a historic 2-1 win.
The goal marked the first of his international career for Palestine.
The decisive goal, officially recorded in the 97th minute, sparked wild celebrations as Ehab Abu Jazar’s side claimed their first victory in the current AFC World Cup qualifying round.
Despite a challenging campaign – with just one win and three draws from eight matches – Palestine remains in contention for a top-four finish in Group B.
The top two teams in each of the six qualifying groups will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while third and fourth-place finishers enter a playoff.
Currently fifth, Palestine faces crucial June fixtures against Kuwait and Oman as they push for an unlikely breakthrough.
Saudi Arabia set to splurge on new cricket tournament
Saudi Arabia is set to splurge as much as $800 million on a new T20 cricket league, which could put the country at loggerheads with India’s leviathan cricket board.
The touted global T20 league – 20 overs cricket – would be the first of its kind, bringing in eight cricket franchise teams from across the world to compete in four ‘grand slam’ tournaments in different locations across the year.
It appears the competition is a joint effort between Saudi Arabia’s SURJ Sports Investment and Public Investment Fund (PIF), the International Cricket Council, and the brainchild of the scheme, former Australian cricketer Neil Maxwell.
Rather than compete with the hugely popular Indian Premier League (IPL) the new T20 tournament looks to develop cricket in smaller or struggling nations, such as the West Indies, and win a new fanbase outside the Commonwealth.
It will also be a boost for local countries building a base for the sport almost from scratch, such as Oman and the UAE
The move could be seen as a challenge to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the dominant cricketing authority in the world, and might result in Indian players being effectively barred from competing in the tournament.
Saudi Arabia has massively invested in sports under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, part of a mission to diversify the economy, bring in tourists, boost the kingdom’s public image, and promote sports and entertainment among the youth.
Such has been the success of Riyadh’s ambitions, Saudi Arabia has managed to become not only a hub for regional entertainment but also a powerful player in the direction of sports such as golf, football, and snooker, challenging the status quo in the sporting world.
