Expanded 2026 World Cup Offers New Hope for West Asian Teams

With the expansion of the FIFA World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition, West Asian nations like Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain are eyeing a potential breakthrough on the global stage. While regional giants Saudi Arabia and Qatar have dominated the scene, this new opportunity gives historically less successful teams a chance to compete.

As the third round of AFC qualifiers begins, these nations find themselves competing in a broader pool with eight automatic spots for Asia, double the allocation from the 2022 World Cup. This expanded format could benefit teams like Kuwait, which, despite past successes, has struggled in recent years, and Oman, which narrowly missed out in 2022.

Kuwait, once a powerhouse in Asian football, has faced setbacks, including a two-year FIFA ban in 2015. With a new coach, Juan Antonio Pizzi, hopes are cautiously rising, though the road ahead remains challenging. Meanwhile, Oman, ranked 60 places above Kuwait, has its sights set on a return to the global stage, bolstered by a strong performance in the 2022 qualifiers.

Jordan, another key contender, has consistently performed well but has yet to reach a World Cup. This time, however, optimism is high, and their fans hope this expanded format will be the ticket to success.

Bahrain, though lacking the financial power of their neighbors, is also in the mix, with the hope that an expanded tournament will provide more recovery time from early losses.

The expanded World Cup represents not only a chance for these teams to make their mark but also a potential boost for their domestic leagues, which have struggled with fan engagement and financial resources. The journey to North America in 2026 begins now, and for these West Asian teams, it’s a dream within reach.