Confirmed: four players from Southeast Asian clubs to compete in the 2026 World Cup

A number of footballers plying their trade in Southeast Asia are facing the opportunity to play in the 2026 World Cup.

With only a few days left before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, the list of participating teams is gradually being finalized. According to multiple sources, Southeast Asian football is likely to have a special presence at the global football festival, as several players currently playing for clubs in the region have been called up to their national teams and stand a chance to appear at the World Cup.

Most notably is the case of the duo currently playing for Selangor (Malaysia)—midfielder Noor Al Rawabdeh and defender Mo Abualnadi. Both are believed to have made the Jordan squad following a successful qualifying campaign. Barring last-minute changes, they will become players active in Southeast Asia to feature in Jordan's first World Cup appearance.

Noor Al Rawabdeh has been a familiar face in Jordanian football for many years. Since joining Selangor in 2023, the midfielder has quickly become a key figure in the midfield of the Malaysian club. Meanwhile, Mo Abualnadi, though still quite young, has been highly regarded for his rapid progress while playing for his club and the Jordan national team.

Besides Jordan, Iraq is also expected to bring two players currently active in Southeast Asia to the 2026 World Cup. They are veteran center‑back Rebin Sulaka of Port FC (Thailand) and Frans Putros, a defender under contract with Persib Bandung, the Indonesian champions of the 2025/26 season. Both are experienced figures who have regularly featured in Iraq's national team call‑ups in recent years.

If the final squad remains unchanged, Southeast Asia will have a total of four players currently active in the region's domestic leagues participating in the 2026 World Cup. Although they are not native ASEAN stars, the presence of these players still reflects the growing appeal of Southeast Asian leagues to quality national team players from West Asia.

The 2026 World Cup promises to be a memorable tournament for Jordan as they have the chance to appear on the world's most prestigious stage for the first time. Meanwhile, Iraq is expected to mark their return after a long absence. If everything goes as planned, four players currently active in Southeast Asia will have the opportunity to represent the region on the biggest football stage this summer.