The Middle East has consolidated its presence in the map of global powers for the year 2026, after Israel ranked 11th among the most influential countries in the world, directly behind the UAE, and ahead of prominent economic and demographic powers such as India and Canada.

According to a report by journalist Eli Leon in the Israeli newspaper “Maariv”, Israel obtained 56.4 points in the “Global Power Index” for the year 2026, making it only one place away from the list of the 10 most influential countries in the world.

Israel came in 11th place, immediately after the UAE, which ranked 10th, in a change from the 2025 ranking, when Israel succeeded in entering the list of the top 10 countries and ranked 10th, while the UAE came in 11th place.

The classification is based on data from the “Best Countries” index for the year 2026, issued by the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and published on the “Visual Capitalist” website.

The index is not limited to direct numbers related to defense budgets or gross domestic product, but rather reflects a broad general perception of the power of countries, based on a comprehensive survey that included more than 15,000 people in 33 countries.

Participants were asked to rate each country’s level of overall influence, its military power, its technological leadership, its strategic resources, and its ability to direct international diplomatic events.

The analysis reveals that the concept of global power is witnessing a sharp transformation, as the top three countries maintain a large gap separating them from the rest of the world, making them more like an independent “elite league,” at a time when the traditional diplomatic and economic power of the West has begun to decline.

On the other hand, countries such as South Korea and Saudi Arabia made a remarkable leap, ahead of historical powers such as France and Japan.

The high ranking of both the UAE and Israel shows that the Middle East is now viewed globally as a strategic and highly influential center of power, despite the ongoing geopolitical turmoil that the region is witnessing.

The United States topped the list of the most powerful countries in the world according to international public opinion, achieving a perfect score of 100 points.

China came in second place with 93.6 points, benefiting from its extensive network of trade relations and its huge army, which makes it threaten the American lead.

As for Russia, it came in third place with 91.4 points, despite the limitations of its economy, benefiting mainly from its nuclear arsenal and geopolitical influence.

Britain came in fourth place with 84.3 points, followed by Germany in fifth place with 74.1 points, then South Korea in sixth place with 62.7 points, and Saudi Arabia in seventh place with 61.0 points.

France ranked eighth with 59.5 points, Japan ranked ninth with 59.0 points, while the UAE came in 10th place with 58.6 points, directly ahead of Israel.

This ranking reflects the increasing rise of Middle Eastern powers in the balance of international influence, as the region’s power is no longer measured only by its geographical location or resources, but also by its military, technological, and diplomatic ability to impose its presence in the global system.