Can Squash’s Youngest World No. 1 Become a Global Sporting Superstar?

Amina Orfi has reached another historic milestone in what is becoming one of the most remarkable young careers in squash. At just 19 years and two months old, the Egyptian has become the youngest woman ever to reach the top of the PSA World Rankings.

Her rise comes only months after she became the youngest women’s world champion in squash history. With the sport preparing for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, Orfi’s emergence could not have come at a more significant time.

The question now is whether the teenager can turn her extraordinary success on the squash court into wider global recognition.

A Record-Breaking Rise

Orfi secured the world No. 1 ranking after winning the Qatar Classic in Doha.

In the final, she defeated fellow Egyptian Hania El Hammamy 3-2 in a 107-minute contest, recovering after losing the opening game. The victory gave Orfi her first Platinum-level title and ended El Hammamy’s 11-month reign at the top of the rankings.

The achievement also allowed Orfi to break a record that had stood for more than four decades.

New Zealand’s Susan Devoy had previously been the youngest female player to reach No. 1, having achieved the milestone at 20 years and two months in 1984. Orfi has now taken the record at 19 years and two months.

Her 2026 Season Has Been Extraordinary

Becoming world No. 1 would be a major achievement for any athlete, but Orfi’s accomplishment is even more notable because of what she had already achieved earlier in the year.

In May, she won the PSA World Championship in Giza, defeating eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in a five-game final.

Orfi was just 18 years and 10 months old at the time, making her the youngest women’s world champion in squash history. The match lasted 106 minutes and became the longest women’s World Championship match under the current point-a-rally, first-to-11 scoring format.

She also became the first player to hold both the World Junior Championship and senior World Championship titles simultaneously.

Her latest success therefore completes an extraordinary sequence: world junior champion, world champion and now world No. 1.

Egypt Continues to Dominate Squash

Orfi’s success also highlights Egypt’s extraordinary influence on modern squash.

The current women’s rankings feature several Egyptian players near the top. Orfi occupies No. 1, followed by Hania El Hammamy at No. 2 and Nour El Sherbini at No. 3.

Egypt has also produced numerous world champions and former No. 1 players in both the men’s and women’s games.

That environment has given Orfi an opportunity to compete against some of the world’s strongest players from a young age.

Her development is therefore not happening in isolation. She is part of a highly competitive Egyptian squash system that has consistently produced elite players.

The Olympic Opportunity

One of the most important factors in Orfi’s future is the timing of her rise.

Squash will make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

That gives Orfi less than two years to prepare for one of the biggest sporting stages in the world. She has already said that qualifying for Los Angeles is one of her goals, alongside defending her world title.

An Olympic appearance could provide an opportunity to introduce Orfi to audiences who may not regularly follow professional squash.

If she competes successfully in Los Angeles, her profile could grow well beyond the traditional squash community.

Why Squash Needs Global Stars

Squash has a passionate international following, but it does not have the same mainstream visibility as football, basketball or tennis.

The Olympic debut could change that.

Having young stars such as Orfi gives the sport an opportunity to connect with a new generation of fans. Her age, achievements and rapid rise provide a compelling story for audiences who may be discovering squash for the first time.

The fact that she has already broken records before turning 20 adds another dimension to her profile.

However, becoming a global sporting superstar requires more than winning titles.

Success on Court Will Be Only One Part of the Story

Orfi will need to maintain her performances against an increasingly competitive field.

The current women’s rankings include established players such as El Hammamy, El Sherbini, Olivia Weaver, Sivasangari Subramaniam and Satomi Watanabe.

Remaining at the top can be more difficult than reaching it.

Orfi will now face greater expectations every time she enters a tournament. Opponents will have additional motivation when playing the world No. 1, while the physical and mental demands of a long professional season will continue to increase.

Her ability to manage those pressures could become one of the defining aspects of her next stage.

A New Generation Is Emerging

Orfi is not the only young player attracting attention.

India’s Anahat Singh, for example, has also been making rapid progress. The 18-year-old recently became the first Indian to win the World Junior Championship and has climbed to No. 17 in the women’s senior rankings.

Singh is also targeting the 2028 Olympics, giving squash another young player who could become an important figure during the sport’s Olympic introduction.

The emergence of athletes such as Orfi and Singh could help create a new generation of squash stars from different countries.

Can Orfi Become a Global Sporting Superstar?

Orfi already has many of the ingredients associated with an international sports star.

She has achieved major titles at an exceptionally young age, broken longstanding records and reached the top of her sport.

But global superstardom is difficult to predict and depends on factors beyond sporting success, including continued performances, Olympic exposure, international media attention and the growth of squash itself.

What is certain is that Orfi has already created a historic foundation.

At 19, she is the youngest female world No. 1 in squash history and the reigning world champion. With the 2028 Olympics approaching, the next stage of her career could bring her to an audience far larger than the one that follows professional squash today.

For now, the most significant part of the story is her remarkable rise. The next two years will show how far that rise can continue.