A record nine Asian countries will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, thereby increasing the number of players from the continent in the competition.
Asian countries have failed to come close since South Korea finished fourth in the 2002 edition co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, but many stars from the region will hope to at least match this achievement in North America or even make a go of winning the tournament.
From South Korea to Saudi Arabia, the Peoples Gazette has picked five Asian players to watch at the World Cup.
Son Heung-min
The former Tottenham forward is arguably the biggest name in Asian football, and he is expected to be one of the continent’s top performers at the World Cup. Son has been a versatile player for the South Korea national team and has already scored 12 goals in 16 matches in 2026.
His teammates and supporters are definitely expecting him to continue with the form in North America. He is already plying his trade with Los Angeles F.C. in Major League Soccer in the United States, so he will have no problem adapting to conditions in America during the tournament.
The 33-year-old has embraced a new role as a playmaker for his club, creating 15 assists and scoring two goals so far in the active MLS season.
Kim Min-jae
The Bayern Munich defender is another South Korean player on the list. He’s one of the most recognisable names in football from Asia. He played 37 games for Bayern Munich across all competitions last season as the German giants won the Bundesliga title and reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
Min-jae is also expected to be one of the standout players for South Korea at the World Cup, as the Taegeuk Warriors face co-host Mexico, Czechia and South Africa in Group A.
Daichi Kamada
Playing in the Premier League for Crystal Palace as a regular starter already speaks to the player’s quality and his importance to the Japan national team.
The midfielder played a huge role in Crystal Palace’s UEFA Conference League triumph in the just-concluded season. He played 46 games across all competitions during the campaign.
Despite being a midfielder, the 29-year-old has also shown he can be a good goalscorer when needed for the national team. Kamada has scored 12 goals since making his senior debut for the Samurai Blue in 2019.
Mehdi Taremi
Taremi is the most popular face among the Iranian national team, making him one of the Asian players to watch during the World Cup.
The 33-year-old has made a name for himself playing across clubs in Europe, including Rio Ave, Porto, Inter Milan and Olympiacos, where he is currently based. He netted 16 times for them last season.
When it comes to national team duty, he has proven himself to be a reliable figure, having scored 60 goals in 104 appearances for Team Melli.
Saud Abdulhamid
The Saudi Arabia international began his career in his home country before leaving for Europe in 2024, when he joined Italian side AS Roma.
One month after joining AS Roma, he became the first Saudi player to feature in European club football, making his debut in the UEFA Europa League in a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao.
In December of the same year, Abdulhamid also made history as the first player from a Middle Eastern country to score in European continental football during AS Roma’s 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League.
The right-back has years of experience with the national team, having made 53 appearances for the Arabian Falcons so far.
