Matches involving Arab national teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026 attracted more than 2.1 billion cumulative views on beIN SPORTS across the Middle East and North Africa, reflecting unprecedented regional interest in a historic tournament for Arab football.
According to figures released by beIN SPORTS and independently measured by Ipsos, the 29 matches featuring Arab teams produced some of the tournament’s largest audiences despite several games beginning during the early hours of the morning across the region.
Record eight Arab nations compete
The expanded 48-team tournament featured a record eight Arab countries:
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Morocco
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Tunisia
Their participation produced several milestones, including Egypt’s first appearance in the Round of 16 and Morocco’s second consecutive qualification for the quarter-finals.
Egypt and Morocco also became the first two Arab nations to reach the last 16 at the same edition of the World Cup.
Egypt–Argentina attracts 192.6 million viewers
Egypt’s Round-of-16 match against reigning world champions Argentina was the most-watched of the tournament’s 29 fixtures involving Arab teams.
The match attracted 192.6 million viewers across MENA, with 94% of Egypt’s adult population watching, according to beIN’s Ipsos audience data.
Egypt led Argentina 2-0 before conceding three late goals and losing 3-2 in Atlanta. FIFA’s official match record confirms that Argentina scored in the 79th, 83rd and 92nd minutes to complete the comeback.
The match concluded a historic campaign for Egypt, which had already recorded its first World Cup victory by defeating New Zealand 3-1.
The Pharaohs then overcame Australia on penalties in the Round of 32, securing their first knockout-stage victory and reaching the last 16 for the first time.
That Australia match drew 157.1 million viewers, making it the second-most-watched Arab-team fixture of the tournament.
Morocco reaches consecutive quarter-finals
Morocco continued the momentum of its historic 2022 campaign by becoming the first African and Arab national team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in consecutive editions.
The Atlas Lions defeated the Netherlands in the Round of 32, with the match attracting 81.1 million viewers, before overcoming co-hosts Canada in front of an audience of 149 million.
Morocco’s quarter-final against France drew 151.6 million viewers, including 97% of Morocco’s adult population, according to the released figures. France won the match 2-0.
Algeria draws a major pre-dawn audience
Algeria also progressed from the group stage and faced Switzerland in the Round of 32.
Despite the match beginning at 6am Makkah time, it attracted 123.1 million viewers across the region. Switzerland defeated Algeria 2-0 to advance.
The audience demonstrates the strength of regional interest even when matches were played at times that were less convenient for viewers across MENA.
Qatar and Jordan achieve firsts
Qatar secured its first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup by drawing with Switzerland during the group stage.
Jordan, competing at the tournament for the first time, scored in all three of its group matches. Its meeting with Argentina was watched by approximately 65 million viewers, with King Abdullah II attending the game.
These moments contributed to a tournament in which Arab participation extended beyond the traditional leading teams and reflected the region’s growing presence on football’s biggest stage.
Group-stage matches deliver major audiences
The 23 group-stage matches involving Arab teams generated a combined 1.25 billion cumulative views, averaging more than 54 million per fixture.
Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Iran was the most-watched Arab match of the group stage, attracting 107.5 million viewers despite beginning at 6am Makkah time.
Other major group-stage audiences included:
- Belgium vs Egypt — 91.7 million
- New Zealand vs Egypt — 84.8 million
- Brazil vs Morocco — 75.5 million
- Iraq vs Senegal — 71.4 million
- Saudi Arabia vs Cabo Verde — 44.9 million
The six knockout matches involving Arab teams produced a combined 854 million views, averaging more than 142 million per fixture.
A landmark tournament for Arab football
Mohammed Al-Bader, Managing Director of beIN Channels–MENA, described the tournament as a historic moment for the region, highlighting the record number of Arab participants, Egypt’s progress and Morocco’s consecutive quarter-final appearances.
beIN SPORTS broadcast every match live across 24 MENA markets, with coverage available in Arabic, English and French through eight dedicated channels.
The figures underline the scale of the region’s connection with its national teams. Even with matches scheduled as early as 1am, 4am and 6am Makkah time, audiences regularly reached tens of millions—and, on several occasions, exceeded 100 million.
---
About Qatar Living :
Since 2005, Qatar Living has been the trusted destination for everything Qatar. As the country's largest online community and marketplace, Qatar Living connects people with opportunities through jobs, property, vehicles, services, classifieds, events, local insights, and breaking news. Trusted by residents, newcomers, visitors, and businesses alike, Qatar Living brings Qatar together in one place.
Follow Qatar Living for daily updates:
Instagram - @qatarliving
X - @qatarliving
Facebook - Qatar Living
YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
