The 2026 World Cup: Politics, Power and the Middle East

The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has concluded its final stages with France, Spain, Argentina, and England emerging as the final four teams. According to the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP), the tournament featured an expanded field that included ten nations from the Middle East and North Africa, with Morocco achieving another deep run following its 2022 performance in Qatar.

Middle East and North Africa Representation in 2026 World Cup

The 2026 tournament saw a significant increase in participation from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. MERIP reports that ten nations from this area competed in the event. Morocco specifically maintained the momentum from the 2022 World Cup, where it reached the semi-finals, by securing another deep run in the 2026 competition.

James Ryan, executive director of MERIP, convened a roundtable with editorial committee members and contributors to analyze the implications of this increased regional presence. The discussion focused on what this level of participation means for the involved countries and their future prospects in international football.

Colonial and Diasporic Influence on Tournament Outcomes

The dominance of traditional football powerhouses remains a central theme of the 2026 tournament. The final four teams—France, Spain, Argentina, and England—reflect long-standing global hierarchies. According to the MERIP roundtable participants, these outcomes are tied to colonial and diasporic dynamics.

The analysis provided by the roundtable suggests that the success of these specific nations is not isolated to athletic performance but is linked to the historical movements of people and the structures left by colonial eras. This dynamic continues to shape the composition and competitiveness of top-tier national teams.

Geopolitical Tensions During North American Hosting

The 2026 World Cup took place against a backdrop of severe international conflict. The tournament was hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada while the United States and Israel were engaged in a war against Iran. MERIP describes this conflict as disastrous, noting that it entangled allies across the region, including Lebanon and Yemen.

The roundtable participants discussed the friction between the celebratory nature of the World Cup and the ongoing military and diplomatic crises in the Middle East. The hosting of the event by the U.S. coincided with these active hostilities, creating a stark contrast between the sporting event and the geopolitical reality in the region.

MERIP Analysis and Academic Contributors

The analysis of the 2026 World Cup was conducted by a panel of academics and specialists. Joining James Ryan for the conversation were Sabiha Allouche, a senior lecturer in politics at the University of Exeter’s Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies and member of MERIP’s editorial committee, and Paul Silverstein, a professor of anthropology at Reed College and chair of MERIP’s board of directors.

Also contributing to the discussion was Nabil al-Tikriti, a professor of history at the University of Mary Washington and former member of MERIP’s editorial committee. The group examined the intersection of football, politics, and passion, mirroring themes previously explored in Middle East Report Issue 304 in 2022.