The 2026 FIFA World CupTM has marked a groundbreaking chapter for Arab football, with unprecedented achievements both on the field and in audience engagement. For the first time ever, Egypt advanced to the Round of 16 in the tournament’s history, joining Morocco as one of the two Arab countries to reach this stage simultaneously. Notably, this World Cup featured a record eight Arab nations competing in the expanded 48-team format, reflecting the region’s growing prominence in the sport.
This surge in participation translated into remarkable viewership figures across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The epic Round of 16 clash between Egypt and Argentina drew an astonishing 192.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched match among the 29 games involving Arab teams. Meanwhile, Morocco’s quarter-final encounter with France attracted 151.6 million viewers, according to independent ratings by Ipsos.
Unprecedented Engagement Across MENA
beIN SPORTS, the region’s premier sports broadcaster, provided exclusive live coverage of every match throughout the tournament, holding broadcasting rights across 24 markets in MENA. Despite the finals being hosted in North America—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—where kickoff times corresponded to early morning hours in the region (01:00, 04:00, and 06:00 Mecca time), Arab fans consistently demonstrated their dedication. Pre-dawn viewing numbers regularly surpassed 100 million, underscoring the passion and support for their teams.
This World Cup’s combination of historic team performances and extraordinary audience engagement has firmly established a new benchmark for football in the Arab world, highlighting both the growing talent on the pitch and the immense enthusiasm off it. With the tournament setting records in participation and viewership, it is clear that Arab football is entering a transformative era on the global stage.