As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ draws nearer, footballers from across Asia are gearing up to leave their mark on the tournament, and with nine Asian nations set to take to the pitch in North America, a new generation of players from across the continent are preparing to go toe-to-toe with top talent from the rest of the world.
Each of these young stars is at a unique point in their footballing career. Some have already established themselves as integral to their team’s starting XI, while others are still trying to prove their worth to secure a place at the global showpiece.
Here, FIFA looks at several promising talents from across Asia who could make a name for themselves at this year’s World Cup, reflecting on their careers so far and the skills they can bring to their teams.
Ibrahim Sabra – Jordan
Forward Ibrahim Sabra spent his younger years progressing through youth academies in Jordan before breaking through in the first team at Al Wehdat SC. From there, he caught the attention of Turkish side Goztepe, who he joined in 2025, before a successful loan spell at Croatian club Lokomotiva Zagreb.
Sabra has played five matches for Al Nashama – or the Chivalrous Ones, as Jordan’s national team are affectionately known. His most recent appearance came on 31 March against Nigeria, just four days after scoring his first international goal against Costa Rica.
His key strengths lie in his ability to win duels and aerial challenges, as well as his intelligent positioning inside the penalty area, which make him a valuable asset for coach Jamal Sellami.
Odeh Al Fakhouri – Jordan
Odeh Al Fakhouri made considerable strides forward in his career at Al Hussein Irbid, where he helped the club win the Jordanian league title in 2025, before signing for Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC in early 2026.
Al Fakhouri’s play style is characterised by his exceptional speed and ability to exploit tight spaces and he has played eight matches for his country, with his most recent outings coming in March, in friendlies against Costa Rica and Nigeria. The 20-year-old forward was also part of the Jordan squad that finished as runners-up at last year’s FIFA Arab Cup 2025™.
Nestory Irankunda – Australia
Nestory Irankunda’s senior career began at Adelaide United, where his impressive performances soon earned him a transfer to Europe via Bayern Munich’s reserve team. He then went on a loan spell with Swiss side Grasshoppers, before joining English Championship club Watford.
The explosive 20-year-old forward has 13 appearances for Australia under his belt, where he has contributed five goals and one assist. His most recent appearance for the Socceroos came in March when he scored a brace against Curaçao in the FIFA Series 2026™ that the nation hosted and his ability to win one-on-one duels makes him a potential breakout star for the Socceroos in North America.
Ahmed Al Rawi – Qatar
Having come through the Aspire Academy, Ahmed Al Rawi is now regarded as one of the most exciting young Qatari stars. He made his senior debut for Al Rayyan in 2021, before going on loan to Spanish side Alcorcon. He has since moved back to his home country and is currently on loan with Qatar SC, where he has produced three goals and one assist this season.
The 21-year-old forward has nine caps with the national team, where he has scored three goals. His most recent international appearance dates back to September 2025 when he was called up for matches against Bahrain and Russia, though he did not feature in either game. With his sharp movement and precision in front of goal, Al Rawi could prove to be a valuable option for coach Julen Loptegui in strengthening his side’s attack at this summer’s World Cup.
