World Cup 2026: More MENA countries competing than ever before • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Sportswashing: The practice of using high-profile sporting events or investments to improve a country's international reputation and distract from human rights or political controversies.
• Geopolitics in Sports: The intersection of international relations and athletic competition, specifically regarding visa restrictions, team base locations, and diplomatic tensions.
• FIFA Expansion: The transition to a 48-team World Cup format, which increases representation for emerging football nations.
• Diaspora Recruitment: The strategy of national teams (like Morocco) recruiting players born and raised in Europe to strengthen their squads.
• Football Pedigree: The historical and cultural depth of a nation’s football infrastructure and success.

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1. Iran’s Participation and Geopolitical Challenges

• Logistical Constraints: Due to ongoing tensions with the U.S. government, the Iranian national team is prohibited from being based in the United States. They are required to fly in and out of the country solely for match days, maintaining a base in Mexico.
• Performance: Despite the immense pressure from the Iranian diaspora and the regime in Tehran, Iran has performed competitively, securing two draws in their first two matches.
• Tactical Style: Iran is characterized by a defensive, "frustrating" style of play. While effective at holding top-tier teams (like Belgium) to draws, they struggle to win matches when they are considered the favorites (e.g., against New Zealand).

2. Emerging Nations: Iraq and Jordan

• World Cup Expansion Impact: The move to 48 teams has allowed nations like Iraq and Jordan to qualify, though the increased volume of matches has led to criticism that the tournament currently feels more like a series of qualifiers than a traditional World Cup.
• Iraq’s Performance: Iraq faced a difficult group (France, Senegal, Norway). Despite a 4-1 loss to Norway, they remained competitive for 75 minutes, trailing only 2-1 for the majority of the match.
• Cultural Significance: For Iraq, which has not qualified since 1986, the tournament serves as a unifying force. The squad features players from diverse backgrounds, including the Kurdish region and the Assyrian-Chaldean community, symbolizing national unity.

3. Morocco: The Regional Model for Success

• Strategic Investment: Morocco is cited as the "example to follow" in the MENA region. Their success is attributed to heavy investment in youth development and the recruitment of dual-national players born in Europe (e.g., France, Netherlands, Belgium).
• Mentality Shift: Under the guidance of their youth trainer, the team has adopted an aggressive, attacking mindset. Their goal is not just to participate, but to win the tournament.
• Future Outlook: Having reached the semi-finals in Qatar and performing well in the current tournament, Morocco is positioned as a major contender for the 2030 World Cup, which they will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

4. Sportswashing and Regional Strategy

• Qatar and Saudi Arabia: Both nations are accused of using football to "launder their image." However, the guest expert, Ruben Slagter, notes that this strategy is proving effective.
• Global Perception: While European media remains highly critical of these nations, the Qatar World Cup was viewed as a "breakthrough" and a "breath of fresh air" by fans in South America and the Middle East, who often perceive European football dominance as arrogant.
• Ambassadorship: The recruitment of global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League serves as a deliberate effort to normalize the country’s image and integrate it into the global football ecosystem.

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Synthesis and Conclusion

The 2026 World Cup highlights a significant shift in global football, where the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is moving from the periphery to the center of the sport. While geopolitical tensions continue to complicate participation for some nations, the expansion of the tournament has provided a platform for emerging teams to gain experience. Morocco stands out as the most successful model of development, while Qatar and Saudi Arabia continue to leverage massive financial investment to reshape their international standing. Ultimately, the "beautiful game" is being used as a powerful tool for both national development and international soft power, with the region’s influence in football expected to grow significantly over the next decade.