The Jordan national team ("The Chivalrous") has made the biggest leap in Asian football in recent years, known for its disciplined defense and deadly counterattacks.
After nine attempts and years full of hope, Jordan has finally broken the spell and qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Their story is filled with decades of ambition, relentless effort, heartbreaking defeats, and thrilling moments.
As the big tournament approaches, Jordan is ready to compete with a golden generation of talent, considered the best in the country's history. Having reached the final of the AFC Asian Cup, the team now confidently steps toward their destiny on the global stage.
Oxu.Az looks at the past, present, and 2026 expectations of Jordanian football.
Following successes in the AFC Asian Cup and the second round of World Cup qualifiers, former head coach Hussein Ammuta left his post for new challenges. This prompted the Jordan Football Association to seek a successor who could maintain the team's momentum. Amid concerns about a drop in performance, the association signed Ammuta's compatriot, Moroccan Jamal Sellami. He continued his predecessor's plan, building a new team on the already established foundation of success.
Sellami, 55, was a notable midfielder during his playing career. He made a name for himself with "Raja Casablanca," winning numerous titles, and had a successful three-year stint at "Beşiktaş." Sellami also represented the Moroccan national team at the 1998 World Cup in France and hung up his boots in 2004 at "Maghreb Fez."
He then began his coaching career, working with youth teams of "Raja" and other Moroccan clubs before moving to the senior level. After leading "FUS Rabat," he made "Raja" the domestic league champion in the 2019-20 season and eventually returned to "FUS." Under his guidance, the Moroccan national team also won the 2018 African Nations Championship.
Since taking over "Naşama" in June 2024, Sellami has maintained a solid defense while fostering flexibility and dynamic play. He has demonstrated the ability to maximize his players' skills. Under his leadership, in 12 matches, Jordan lost only twice (to South Korea and Iraq), scoring 19 goals while conceding only 8.
Jordan's World Cup success leaves past sorrows behind
Although Jordan's previous World Cup qualifying campaigns always ended in disappointment, some memorable moments remain, especially the 2014 qualifiers. In the fifth round of AFC qualifiers, after a 2-2 aggregate draw with Uzbekistan, the "Chivalrous" won on penalties to earn a place in the intercontinental playoff against Uruguay.
Jordan was just 180 minutes away from the dream they had nurtured for years. They faced Uruguay, who had finished fourth in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and boasted superstars like Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, and Diego Forlan. This attacking force was too much for Jordan. Uruguay won comfortably in Amman, and despite a draw in Montevideo, Jordan missed their chance to qualify.
How did Jordan qualify for WC 2026?
Jordan's qualifying campaign began in the second round of AFC qualifiers and got off to a difficult start. After an away draw with Tajikistan and a home loss to Saudi Arabia, the team quickly regained balance. They won four consecutive matches, including a 7-0 thrashing of Pakistan, overtaking Saudi Arabia on goal difference.
In the third round, under Sellami's leadership and with the brilliant performances of the attacking trio Musa Al-Taamari, Yazan Al-Naimat, and Ali Alwan, Jordan continued their strong form. On June 5, 2025, a 3-0 win over Oman brought their points to 16. At the end of that day, Iraq's loss to South Korea officially confirmed Jordan's second direct qualification before the final round.
Jordan's match schedule for WC 2026 (Baku time)
Jordan will compete in Group J of WC 2026 against Argentina, Austria, and Algeria.
Group J:
June 17, 08:00, Austria - Jordan (San Francisco Stadium);
June 23, 07:00, Jordan - Algeria (San Francisco Stadium);
June 28, 06:00, Jordan - Argentina (Dallas Stadium).
Jordan's top scorer in World Cup qualifiers
Although primarily an attacking midfielder, Hassan Abdel-Fattah was known for his precise finishing and powerful long-range strikes. Over 11 years, his contributions, especially his unforgettable moments in World Cup qualifiers, earned him a special place in Jordanian football history.
Abdel-Fattah's 16 goals in World Cup qualifiers (a Jordan record) started with a brace against South Korea in the 2006 qualifiers and ended with a goal against Tajikistan in the 2018 qualifiers. He was also the star of the "Chivalrous" 9-0 historic win over Nepal in the opening round of the 2014 qualifiers, scoring four goals in that match.
The Jordan national team is not going to North America just for tourism in group matches. They want to repeat the surprise they made in Asia on the world stage and prove they are a new power in Arab football. Can the debutant team pull off the biggest upset of the tournament?
