This article is part of a collaborative effort among leading news organizations from the 48 nations qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. It offers daily insights as the tournament, commencing on June 11th, approaches.
Jordan Prepares for Historic World Cup Debut
Jordan faces a pivotal summer as it prepares for its first World Cup appearance, having missed the opportunity on nine previous occasions. The national team came closest to qualifying in 2014, reaching the intercontinental play-offs only to be defeated by Uruguay with an aggregate score of 5-0.
In this qualifying campaign, however, Jordan has demonstrated remarkable performance. The team finished at the top of its group during the Asian second qualifying round, securing 13 points through four victories, one draw, and one loss. Advancing to the third round, they finished second to South Korea in Group B and clinched direct qualification with a 3-0 triumph over Oman, accomplishing this feat ahead of schedule. Forward Ali Orwan emerged as the top scorer, netting nine goals throughout the qualifiers.
A Coach with Ambition
Under the leadership of Jamal Selami, who took over as head coach in August 2024, Jordan aims to leverage its strengthened squad. Previously, Selami distinguished himself by guiding the team to the final of the 2025 Arab Cup, where they narrowly lost to Morocco in a penalty shootout. A former player who represented Morocco in the 1998 World Cup, Selami highlighted the importance of ambition, desire, and teamwork. His coaching career began in 2011, and one of his successes includes leading Morocco to victory in the 2018 African Nations Championship.
Highlighting Jordan’s Star Player
Moussa Al Tamari, dubbed the “Messi of Jordan,” has solidified his reputation in European football. Notably, he earned the Cyprus League Player of the Year award in the 2018-19 season while playing for APOEL. After stints with Leuven in Belgium and Montpellier in France, he currently plays for Rennes. Since his debut for the national team in 2016, he has accumulated 90 caps and scored 24 goals, displaying his exceptional talent on the field.
Emerging Talent to Watch
The injury crisis affecting Jordan’s forward line presents a significant opportunity for Odeh Fakhoury to shine. With star players Yazan Al Naimat and Ibrahim Sabra sidelined, Fakhoury is poised to step into a crucial starting role alongside Al Tamari and Orwan. Recently, he scored Jordan’s sole goal during a 4-1 defeat against Switzerland and started the subsequent match against Colombia, which ended 2-0. Fakhoury made history earlier this year as the first Jordanian player to score in the CAF Champions League while playing for an Egyptian club.
Jordan’s Unsung Hero
Nisar Al Rashdan quietly but effectively anchors Jordan’s midfield. Although often overlooked, his ability to seamlessly blend offensive and defensive responsibilities has been pivotal. His decisive plays include scoring the winning goal against Iraq in the round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup and another critical goal against Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals of the 2025 Arab Cup. Currently with Qatar SC, Al Rashdan has gained valuable experience on the regional stage as he once played alongside Spanish legend Andres Iniesta in the UAE Pro League.
Fan Support and Expectations
Selami emphasized that Jordanian supporters are considered the team’s “12th player,” a sentiment that gained prominence during the 2023 Asian Cup when Jordan reached the final. The Jordanian community in the U.S. is rallying around the team, with many fans expected to attend despite visa delays linked to the U.S.-Iranian conflict. Known for their spirited chants, fans traditionally don red and white keffiyehs to showcase their national pride.
Jordan’s Connection with the U.S.
Jordan’s longstanding alliance with the United States has deepened notably during President Donald Trump’s administration, marked by his expressed admiration for King Abdullah II. Despite this diplomatic closeness, Jordanian fans have voiced concerns over the heightened cost of tickets and travel for the World Cup in comparison to the more accessible experience many had during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Written by Ayman Hijreh for Al Ghad.
