From historic wins and record-breaking performances to athletes making their mark on the international stage, MENA athletes have given us plenty to celebrate lately. Across different sports and competitions, the region continues to show just how much talent it has to offer. Here are some of the latest achievements that made us proud and put MENA sports in the spotlight.
Lebanon Makes Rugby League History With a Dramatic 24–20 Win Over France
Lebanon made history on November 1, 2026, after securing an incredible 24–20 golden-point victory over France at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium. The dramatic finish at the Rugby League World Cup has already been hailed as one of the most memorable moments in the tournament’s history, marking a huge achievement for Lebanese rugby.
Egyptian Swimmer Zein Hesham Wins Egypt’s First Gold at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games
Seventeen-year-old swimmer Zein Hesham made history at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, by winning gold in the men’s 100-meter butterfly. Clocking an impressive 52.16 seconds, Hesham secured Egypt’s first gold medal of the competition, finishing ahead of Aleksej Kalanj, who took silver, and Slovakia’s Matiáš Krištof, who claimed bronze.
Egypt Claims Its First-Ever World University Finswimming Championship Title
Egyptian athletes made a splash at the 2026 World University Finswimming Championship, finishing at the top of the overall medal standings with an impressive 19 medals. Held in Sharm El Sheikh from October 25 to 30, the competition saw the Egyptian team bring home seven gold, nine silver, and three bronze medals, marking the country’s first-ever title at the championship. The achievement is another exciting milestone for Egyptian swimming and its growing presence in international competitions.
Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour Takes Home Two Gold Medals at the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
Algerian gymnastics star Kaylia Nemour continues to make her mark on the sport after winning two gold medals at the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam. She first topped the podium in the uneven bars final with a score of 15.333, before adding another gold in the balance beam final with 14.566 points. The latter came after a tiebreak against China’s Zhang Qingying, securing Nemour her first-ever world title on the apparatus.
Egypt’s Women’s Padel Team Qualifies for the 2026 FIP Padel World Cup in Qatar
Another exciting win for Egyptian sports! Egypt’s women’s padel team has officially qualified for the 2026 FIP Padel World Cup in Doha, taking place from November 2 to 7, after defeating Tunisia in the decisive qualifying match. The team will represent the country with a lineup featuring Moura Hakim, Laila El Nimr, Farida El Halaby, Rodayna Fathy, Nour Faidallah, Olivia Morales Llorente, and Hana El Shalakany.
Egypt’s U17 Team Turns Gulf Cup Guest Appearance Into a Final Run
Egypt’s U17 national team is heading to the Gulf Cup final after an impressive run in Qatar. Competing as a guest team, the young Pharaohs finished the group stage with a perfect record, beating Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, and Iraq before securing a convincing 4–0 semi-final win over China. They are now set to face the United Arab Emirates in the final at Hamad Al-Kabir Stadium, adding another exciting achievement to Egypt’s growing list of sporting milestones.
And that’s only a glimpse of the talent coming out of the region! From making history in international championships to bringing home gold and securing major victories, these athletes are putting MENA sports on the map and giving us plenty more reasons to cheer them on.
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