For only the second time in 32 years, the FIFA World Cup is coming to American doorsteps. The 1994 edition sparked America’s soccer awakening. The 2026 edition brings 48 teams, including 12 Muslim-majority nations, twice as many as in Qatar four years ago. Most of them play their group games within a short drive or flight of a U.S. Muslim community. Whether your household follows every qualifier or just wants to know who to cheer for, these five stars play different positions, come from different corners of the Ummah, and will all be playing on North American soil in June.

1. Yassine Bounou — Goalkeeper, Morocco

Bounou, better known as “Bono,” was the wall behind Morocco’s historic run to the 2022 semifinals. A year later he won a second Europa League with Sevilla, saving two penalties in the final’s shootout against Roma, before moving to Saudi giant Al Hilal. Morocco changed coaches in March, with youth-team boss Mohamed Ouahbi replacing Walid Regragui, but the plan still starts with a back line that rarely gives anything away and a keeper who thrives in penalty shootouts. That matters right away: the Atlas Lions open against Brazil.

Yassine Bounou lining up for Morocco

Bounou was born in Montreal, so a North American World Cup feels a little like a homecoming. After the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake, he and his national-team teammates lined up to give blood, and the squad donated its match bonuses to relief efforts.

Where you can watch him (USA venues)

Instagram: @bounouyassine_bono

2. Kalidou Koulibaly — Centre Back, Senegal

Senegal’s captain has played for Napoli, Chelsea, and now Al Hilal. He is still the organizer who keeps goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s life simple. Coach Pape Thiaw, who replaced Aliou Cissé in late 2024, leans on him against both skilled attacks (France) and physical ones (Norway). The Lions of Teranga also arrive with a point to prove. They beat Morocco in January’s Africa Cup of Nations final, then had the title taken away by CAF in March because of a walk-off protest during the match. Senegal is appealing that decision.

Kalidou Koulibaly marshalling Senegal’s back line

Where you can watch him (USA venues)

Instagram: @kkoulibaly26

3. Hakan Çalhanoğlu — Deep-Lying Playmaker, Turkey

Türkiye are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2002. They earned their place the hard way, beating Romania and then Kosovo in March’s playoffs. Çalhanoğlu runs the midfield for Inter Milan and captains Vincenzo Montella’s national team. His set pieces, long-range shooting, and ability to play either deep or as a No. 10 make him the player U.S. fans will notice every time Turkey attacks, especially against the co-hosts in Los Angeles.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu scanning upfield for Turkey

Where you can watch him (USA venues)

Instagram: @hakancalhanoglu

4. Mohamed Salah — Forward, Egypt

In 2018, a shoulder injury from the Champions League final kept Salah out of Egypt’s World Cup opener and limited him for the rest of the tournament. Eight years later he arrives with something to prove. He had a turbulent final season at Liverpool, including a very public falling-out with manager Arne Slot in December, and in March he announced he would leave the club after nine years. Coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s all-time leading scorer, will build everything around him. Expect Salah to drift centrally when Egypt need a goal against Belgium and New Zealand. Then comes Iran in Seattle, a match local organizers branded the city’s “Pride Match” over objections from both federations. Iran’s trip is also uncertain after February’s U.S. and Israeli strikes; FIFA has so far refused to move its games to Mexico.

Mohamed Salah lining up for Egypt

Salah’s influence goes well beyond matchdays. In his hometown of Nagrig he has funded an ambulance unit and a religious institute, and his foundation supports struggling families, including with marriage costs. In 2017 he declined to celebrate a goal out of respect for the victims of the Rawda mosque attack in Sinai. A Stanford study later found that reported hate crimes on Merseyside fell after he joined Liverpool.

Where you can watch him (USA venues)

Instagram: @mosalah

5. Salem Al-Dawsari — Winger, Saudi Arabia

Al-Dawsari’s winner against Argentina in 2022 is still on every highlight reel. Four years later he captains both Al Hilal and the national team. He drifts inside from the left to create chances for strikers like Saleh Al-Shehri and Firas Al-Buraikan, and right back Saud Abdulhamid, now playing in France with Lens, overlaps behind him. Saudi Arabia replaced Hervé Renard with Georgios Donis in late April, just weeks before the tournament, so expect the captain’s experience to carry extra weight.

Salem Al-Dawsari driving past a defender

Where you can watch him (USA venues)

Instagram: @salem_d29

More Muslim-majority teams worth a ticket

  • Algeria vs Argentina — June 16, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO). Riyad Mahrez vs Lionel Messi.
  • Iraq vs Norway — June 16, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA). Iraq’s first World Cup since 1986.
  • Jordan vs Argentina — June 27, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX). Jordan’s World Cup debut ends against the champions.
  • Uzbekistan vs Portugal — June 23, NRG Stadium (Houston, TX). Another World Cup debutant, against one of Europe’s best teams.
  • Qatar vs Switzerland — June 13, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA).
  • Tunisia vs Netherlands — June 25, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO).
  • Iran vs New Zealand — June 15, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA), if Iran makes the trip.

Pick a match, gather the family, and find your local masjid’s watch party for the rest. It’s going to be a summer to remember.