From squash courts to football pitches and basketball arenas, Arab athletes have been celebrating a string of major achievements on the international stage. Egypt has been particularly dominant, claiming world junior squash titles and earning a fencing bronze, while Algeria and Morocco have secured their places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Here are some of the latest Arab sporting achievements making headlines.
Egypt Sweeps Both World Squash Junior Team Championships
Egypt once again proved its dominance in junior squash, winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the 2026 World Squash Junior Team Championships in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.
The tournament brought together some of the world’s best under-19 squash players, with the individual championships held from July 20–25 before the team events ran from July 26–31. A total of 40 teams from 24 nations competed across the men’s and women’s competitions.
The Egyptian women’s team defeated Malaysia 2–0 in the final, while the men’s team secured an equally convincing 2–0 victory over the USA.
The double triumph adds to Egypt’s long-standing dominance in junior squash and highlights the country’s continued ability to produce some of the sport’s strongest young talents.
Egypt Takes Bronze at the World Fencing Championships
Egypt also made its mark in fencing, with Mohamed El-Sayed securing a bronze medal at the 2026 World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong following a 39-38 victory over Israel.
El-Sayed finished third in the men’s individual épée competition, adding another major international medal to Egypt’s growing fencing résumé. The official International Fencing Federation results list El-Sayed in third place, alongside Japan’s Masaru Yamada.
The result is another major achievement for Egyptian fencing, with El-Sayed continuing to establish himself among the world’s leading épée fencers.
Algeria and Morocco Qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup
Arab women’s football also celebrated a major milestone as Algeria and Morocco secured their places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The qualification came through the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which doubles as the African qualifying tournament for the World Cup. The four teams that reach the WAFCON semi-finals automatically earn tickets to Brazil, while the four quarter-final losers receive another route through play-offs.
Algeria made history by reaching the World Cup for the first time after defeating Côte d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals. Morocco also booked its place after progressing past South Africa, earning a second consecutive appearance at the global tournament after making its debut in 2023.
Egyptian Basketball Star Ismail Ahmed Sets Guinness World Record at 49
Egyptian basketball veteran Ismail Ahmed is proving that age is no barrier to making an impact. The 49-year-old, born in Alexandria in 1976, remains active with Lebanese powerhouse Al Riyadi Beirut and continues to compete at the highest level of the Lebanese Basketball League.
Ahmed has recently been at the centre of another remarkable milestone, with reports crediting him with becoming the oldest player to record a triple-double in an official basketball game, at 49 years and 243 days old.
Aseel Osama Makes History With Egypt’s First World U20 Athletics Medal
Egyptian athlete Aseel Osama has made history after winning gold in the women’s javelin at the World Athletics U20 Championships, earning Egypt its first-ever medal at the competition.
The 18-year-old clinched the title with a throw of 59.82 metres, finishing ahead of Croatia’s Vita Barbic, who took silver with 56.60m, and Taiwan’s Tai Yu Chen, who claimed bronze with 54.27m.
The historic victory adds another major achievement to Osama’s already impressive 2026 season, putting her among the young Arab athletes making their mark on the international stage.
UAE Dominates Jiu-Jitsu World Championship with 65 Medals
The UAE national team wrapped up a standout campaign at the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Abu Dhabi, finishing with an impressive 65 medals across the youth, U-21 and adult divisions.
The team collected 18 gold, 17 silver and 30 bronze medals, while also securing the overall Adult and U-21 Newaza titles. The strong showing highlights the UAE’s growing presence in international jiu-jitsu and adds another major achievement to the region’s recent run of sporting success.
Fatima Al Awadhi Becomes First Emirati to Summit Lenin Peak
At just 19 years old, Emirati mountaineer Fatima Abdulrahman Al Awadhi has achieved a major milestone, becoming the youngest Arab to climb above 7,000 metres and the first Emirati to summit Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan’s Pamir Mountains.
Al Awadhi reached the 7,134-metre summit on July 18 following a three-week expedition, completing the climb without supplemental oxygen despite the mountain’s extreme altitude and challenging conditions. Her achievement marks another breakthrough for Emirati and Arab mountaineering on the international stage.
From world titles and historic medals to record-breaking performances and major football milestones, Arab athletes are continuing to make their mark across the global sporting scene. With a new generation rising alongside established stars, these achievements are a reminder of just how much talent the region has to offer, and there are likely plenty more big moments to come.
We Said This: Don’t Miss… Egypt’s Latest Sporting Achievements on the International Stage