The Footballing Families of the Middle East

Across the region, families have shaped the sport in remarkable ways: brothers who played together, teammates who became rivals, and generations who carried the same passion from one era to the next. There's even a surprising connection between many of these stories and one position in particular, goalkeeping, where some of the region's most iconic families built their legacies. From the 1980s to today, spanning three generations in some cases, these are the football families whose names have become part of Middle Eastern sporting history.

[1] Hossam & Ibrahim Hassan
Twins | Egypt

The beloved twins who did the unthinkable; guiding Egypt to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup and cementing their place as Egyptian football icons. Their legacy began long before this historic achievement. Hossam Hassan has always been regarded as one of Egypt's greatest-ever strikers, while his twin brother Ibrahim was a key figure alongside him, forming one of the most iconic partnerships in African football history. Both brothers were part of Egypt's 1990 World Cup squad.

[2] Ahmed & Mostafa Shobeir
Father & Son | Egypt

As Shobeir shines on the World Cup stage, he carries a footballing legacy built long before him. His father, Ahmed Shobeir, is considered one of Egypt's greatest goalkeepers, starring for the national team during the historic 1990 World Cup alongside legends Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan. Now, decades later, his son has taken the family name to the global stage, continuing a legacy that has remained deeply rooted in Egyptian football.

[3] Sofyan & Nordin Amrabat
Siblings | Morocco

Nine years older than Sofyan, Nordin Amrabat had already built his own legacy before his younger brother rose to prominence. He became one of the faces of Morocco's 2018 World Cup campaign, with his passionate "VAR is shit" reaction to a controversial decision becoming an iconic moment in football culture. Four years later, Sofyan took centre stage, helping Morocco make history as the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022. One of the tournament's most emotional images came when Nordin was seen in tears, overwhelmed with pride as his Manchester United brother helped deliver a historic moment for Moroccan football.

[4] Essa, Mutaz, Meshaal & Muamer Barshim
Father & Sons | Qatar

This family has long been intertwined with the sporting world and is regarded as one of Qatar's great sporting dynasties. From a footballing perspective, Meshal Barsham is the Qatar national team's goalkeeper and was their starting keeper at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, remaining first choice on the road to 2026. But Meshal only scratches the surface of this remarkable family. His brother is none other than Mutaz Barshim, one of the greatest high jumpers of all time and the Qatari Olympic champion who famously shared gold with Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi in one of the most memorable displays of sportsmanship the Games have ever seen. Their brother, Muamer, is also a high jumper, having won bronze at the 2022 Asian Championships. They are all sons of power walking champion Essa Barsham. At this year's GCC Games, the father-and-son duo shared the podium, with Mutaz taking gold and Essa claiming silver.

[5] Yehia, Hamada & Hazem Emam
Grandfather, Father & Son | Egypt

Few families are as deeply woven into Egyptian football history as the Emams. The legacy began with Yehia Emam in the 1950s before his son Hamada became a Zamalek icon in the 1960s, earning the nickname "The Fox" as one of the country's most beloved players. Hazem Emam later carried the family name into the 1990s and 2000s, becoming a Zamalek legend and a key figure for Egypt. Across three generations, the Emam name has remained a symbol of elegance, talent, and a lasting connection to Egyptian football.

[6] Houssine & Soufiane Rahimi
Siblings | Morocco

Older brother Houssine Rahimi paved the way in Moroccan football, but it was Sofiane who emerged as one of the country's brightest attacking talents. After making his name with Raja Casablanca, Sofiane became an Olympic champion with Morocco and a key figure for the national team, scoring memorable goals on the biggest stages. The brothers now share the pitch at club level, with both representing Al Ain in the UAE, continuing a football journey that began together in Morocco.

[7] Ekramy El-Shahat & Sherif Ekramy
Father & Son | Egypt

Goalkeeping runs deep in the Ekramy family. Ekramy El-Shahat became one of Egypt's most respected goalkeepers, retiring in 1984 and building a legendary career with Al Ahly and the national team. Decades later, his son Sherif carried the family name into a new era, becoming a key figure for Al Ahly and Egypt throughout the 2010s, winning multiple league titles, cups and CAF Champions League trophies.

[8] Abdallah & Mohammad Al-Deayea
Siblings | Saudi Arabia

Brothers Mohammed and Abdullah Al-Deayea both stood between the posts for their country, representing two different generations of Saudi goalkeeping. Mohammed helped lay the foundations during the 1980s and early 1990s, becoming one of Saudi Arabia's early football stars. His younger brother Abdullah then took the family name to the world stage, starring at four FIFA World Cups between 1994 and 2006 and becoming one of Asia's greatest-ever goalkeepers.

[9] Abdelkader & Rachid Ghezzal
Siblings | Algeria

Abdelkader and Rachid Ghezzal represent two generations of Algerian football, with their careers separated by nearly a decade. Abdelkader built his career in France during the 2000s, later representing Algeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His younger brother Rachid emerged in the 2010s as a talented winger, making his name with Lyon before moving across Europe and winning titles with clubs such as Monaco and Beşiktaş while continuing the family's connection to the Algerian national team.

[10] Issa & Ibrahim Mir
Siblings | UAE

The pair grew up playing together and spent their entire club careers at Sharjah FC during the 1980s and 1990s, becoming key figures for both their club and the national team. Their journey reached the biggest stage at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, where they represented the UAE in its first-ever appearance at the tournament. More than teammates, the twins shared a football journey that remains one of the most memorable stories in Emirati football history.

[11] Mondher, Youssef & Ihab Msakni
Father & Sons | Tunisia

The Msakni family's football story stretches across generations. Mondher Msakni made his name in the 1980s and early 1990s, laying the foundation before his sons followed the same path into the game. Decades later, Youssef and Ihab carried the family name into a new era. Youssef became the standout figure, emerging in the late 2000s and becoming one of Tunisia's most important attacking players, representing the nation across multiple World Cups and major tournaments.

[12] Nacer & Adlène Guedioura
Father & Son | Algeria

Nacer Guedioura was a respected midfielder during the 1970s and 1980s, representing Algeria and helping shape the path that his son would later follow. His son, Adlène Guedioura, emerged decades later as a powerful presence in midfield, becoming a key figure for Algeria during their golden generation. A two-time FIFA World Cup player in 2010 and 2014, he helped the Desert Foxes make history in Brazil, reaching the Round of 16 for the first time.

[13] Fahad, Khaled, Hamed & Walid Al-Rashidi
Siblings | Kuwait

Kuwaiti football has a rare story of brotherhood in the Al-Rashidi family. Across the 2010s, Fahad, Khaled, Hamed, and Walid all stepped onto the pitch as professional footballers, creating a unique chapter in the country's sporting history. Their story reached an unforgettable moment in 2017, when all four brothers faced each other in the Kuwait Premier League, turning a regular fixture between Al Salmiya and Al Tadhamon into a celebration of family and football.