KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor FC leads the M-League with the highest number of players set to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the club is set to receive up to RM2 million in compensation from FIFA as a result.
The Red Giants currently have two confirmed representatives in Jordanian duo Mohammad Abualnadi and Noor Al-Rawabdeh, both of whom played key roles in helping Jordan qualify for the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
Cape Verde’s Alvin Fortes could potentially become Selangor’s third World Cup representative, although his participation with the debutants remains unconfirmed.
Selangor’s tally puts them ahead of Terengganu FC, who have one World Cup-bound player in Curacao international Gervane Kastaneer.
Speaking to Scoop, Selangor chief executive officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon said the club is grateful to receive financial incentives from FIFA, describing it as a return on long-term investment rather than a grant.
“It is not a grant, but a reward from FIFA and we are very thankful. It shows that the investments we have made previously have paid off,” he said.
Earlier, it was reported that Selangor FC and Terengganu FC are set to receive payments following the release of their import players for the World Cup in June.
It is understood that both clubs could receive between RM1 million and RM2 million, with Al-Rawabdeh and Abualnadi representing Jordan, while Kastaneer is expected to turn out for Curacao.
The payments come under FIFA’s enhanced Club Benefits Programme (CBP), introduced in September 2025, which compensates clubs for releasing players during the two-year World Cup qualifying cycle as well as the final tournament.
For context, FIFA allocated a total of US$355 million (RM1.4 billion) for the programme, while US$202 million (RM842 million) was distributed to 440 clubs from 51 member associations during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Johan added that the achievements of Al-Rawabdeh and Abualnadi reflect Selangor’s commitment not only to performance, but also to player welfare and career development.
He also revealed how the club stood by Al-Rawabdeh during a difficult period when the 29-year-old midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that sidelined him for an extended spell.
“He had to be out for almost nine months, but we did not terminate his contract. Instead, we continued to support him and ensured he made a full recovery,” he said.
Beyond the current squad, Selangor also boast a strong historical connection with the World Cup, having previously signed several players who featured on football’s biggest stage.
Among them are former Czechoslovakia goalkeeper Karel Stromsik, Croatia forward Bosko Balaban, and Yugoslavia midfielder Perica Ognjenovic — all of whom played in the World Cup prior to their stints in Malaysia.
Other M-League clubs have also featured World Cup alumni over the years, including Australian duo Dimitri Petratos (Kelantan) and Andrew Nabbout (Negri Sembilan), who were part of Australia’s 2018 squad.
Additional notable names include Nigeria legend Stephen Keshi (Perlis), Honduras striker Jerry Palacios (Armed Forces), Argentina playmaker Pablo Aimar (Johor Darul Ta’zim), and Cameroon’s Joel Epalle (Sarawak).
Senegal star El-Hadji Diouf also turned out for Sabah, while New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz represented Kedah and famously scored against Italy in a 1-1 draw during the 2010 World Cup group stage.
Cameroonian midfielder Emile Mbouh, who featured in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, holds a unique distinction in Malaysian football, having played for Perlis, Kuala Lumpur and Sabah. - April 10, 2026
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