Egyptian stars Mayan El Sayed and Mohamed Sami have earned international recognition after being nominated for TC Candler’s annual 100 Most Beautiful Faces and 100 Most Handsome Faces lists for 2026.
El Sayed has been nominated in the 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2026 category, while director and screenwriter Mohamed Sami is competing among the nominees for the 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2026. Their appearances add to the growing number of Egyptian and Arab personalities represented in this year’s nominations.
It is important to note that the nominations do not mean either star has already secured a place in the final Top 100. TC Candler accepts and publishes nominations throughout most of the year before the final rankings are determined later.
Mayan El Sayed Nominated for 100 Most Beautiful Faces
TC Candler officially announced Mayan El Sayed’s 2026 nomination on July 1, placing the Egyptian actress in a group alongside Peruvian actress Virna Flores, Chinese actress Tian Xiwei, Thai singer Pami, Korean-Vietnamese singer Han Sara and Billie Eilish.
The nomination marks El Sayed’s second consecutive appearance in the selection process. She was also nominated for the 2025 edition, when TC Candler included her alongside names including Sabrina Carpenter and Momo of TWICE.
The recognition comes as El Sayed continues to build her profile as one of the prominent actresses of her generation in Egypt.
She has become known through a growing collection of film and television roles, while her public appearances and fashion choices have also earned her a significant following beyond her acting work.
Her return to TC Candler’s nominations for a second year reflects that expanding international visibility.
Mohamed Sami Returns to the Most Handsome Faces Nominations
Mohamed Sami has meanwhile been nominated for the male counterpart, The 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2026, marking his second consecutive year among TC Candler’s nominees.
TC Candler featured Sami in its 2026 nomination campaign in August, alongside other international male personalities. Egyptian media subsequently reported his return to the nominations for a second year.
The filmmaker received his first nomination in 2025, when TC Candler officially placed him in a group that also included BTS member Jin, Michael Evans Behling and Bakr Khalid.
His first nomination attracted considerable attention in Egypt, particularly after Sami responded to the news with his characteristic humor, joking about how he had ended up among candidates for the international list.
This year’s nomination confirms that his appearance in 2025 was not a one-off.
What Does a TC Candler Nomination Mean?
Despite the widespread use of phrases such as “named among the world’s 100 most beautiful” when nominations are announced, there is a distinction between being nominated and making the final annual ranking.
According to TC Candler’s official 2026 rules, nominations run from January through November, while December serves as voting month. The organization states that the final results and positions are ultimately determined by TC Candler and the Independent Critics.
The nomination stage therefore places El Sayed and Sami in consideration for the eventual lists rather than guaranteeing either of them a Top 100 position.
TC Candler describes the project as an entertainment and celebration initiative designed to feature personalities and talent from countries and cultures around the world.
Egyptian and Arab Stars Gain Greater Representation
El Sayed and Sami are not the only Arab personalities appearing during the 2026 nomination cycle.
TC Candler’s nominations this year have included several recognizable names from the region. Tunisian actress Dorra Zarrouk, for example, was included among the Beautiful Faces nominees in May, while Tunisian actor Dhafer L’Abidine appeared among nominees for the Handsome Faces list earlier in the year.
The increasing representation gives Egyptian and Arab celebrities greater visibility within an annual project that draws nominations from entertainment, music, fashion, sports and social media across numerous countries.
Will Mayan El Sayed and Mohamed Sami Make the Final Top 100?
That question will remain unanswered until TC Candler completes its 2026 selection process.
For now, Mayan El Sayed is officially in contention for the 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2026, while Mohamed Sami is among the candidates for the 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2026.
With both Egyptians earning nominations for the second year in a row, attention will now turn to whether either can progress from the nomination stage and secure a place in TC Candler’s final 2026 rankings.
