NTT PR – The Jordan National Team is entering a new chapter in football history, after coach Jamal Al-Salami officially announced a squad of 26 players ready to appear in the 2026 World Cup.
It is known that this is Jordan’s first appearance in the World Cup finals since the country joined FIFA in 1948.
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The Moroccan coach will rely on mainstay striker Mousa Al-Tamari as the team’s attack motor in facing tough competition in Group J.
Al-Tamari, who plays for French club Stade Rennais, is expected to be a key figure who can bring Jordan to compete with tough opponents in the group phase.
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Despite their debutant status, Jordan came to the World Cup with high self-confidence. The country nicknamed Al-Nashama or “noble people” is enjoying a golden period after successfully reaching the 2023 Asian Cup final and the 2025 Arab Cup final.
Since Jamal Al-Salami took over as coach in June 2024, Jordan has developed into one of the important powers of Arab football. He continued the foundations previously built by his compatriot, Hussein Ammouta.
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Al-Salami believes his team is capable of creating a surprise like what Algeria did when they beat Germany in 1982, Cameroon when they beat defending champions Argentina in 1990, or Senegal who shocked France in 2002.
“Such results open a horizon of hope and ambition for the fans so they can dream,” Al-Salami told Arab sports channel TFK.
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The former midfielder who played for Morocco in the 1998 World Cup built a team that was organized, disciplined and able to transition attacks very quickly. Jordan’s main strength lies in the creativity of the front line which often punishes opponents through counter attacks.
Replacement for Mainstay Striker Yazan Al-Naimat
However, Jordan has to face the bitter reality of the absence of Yazan Al-Naimat. The dynamic striker suffered an anterior knee ligament (ACL) injury while appearing in the Arabian Cup quarter-finals last December.
This loss is quite big considering that Al-Naimat scored eight goals throughout the qualifying phase. “Yazan is a player who cannot be replaced, but we will find a combination that makes the team dangerous for the opponent while providing balance in the defensive game,” said Al-Salami.
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As a potential replacement, Ali Olwan has recovered from an Achilles injury and is in the squad. Apart from that, team captain Mousa Al-Tamari remains the main threat from the right side of the attack.
“We have a lot of good players and talents. But for us as a team, the most important thing is togetherness,” said Al-Salami.
Jordan joins a group that is not easy. Apart from facing Austria and Algeria in San Francisco, they also have to meet defending champions Argentina in Dallas.
To prepare to face Austria, Jordan underwent a trial match against Switzerland at the end of May. Meanwhile, the match against Colombia is expected to provide an idea of the typical playing style of South American teams before facing Argentina.
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According to Al-Salami, the first match against Austria will really determine the direction of his team’s journey in the tournament.
“We hope that when we face Argentina we will have collected points, and that this match will be a step to continue our journey in the World Cup.”
Jordan Squad List for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers: Yazeed Abu Laila (Al-Hussein), Abdullah Al-Fakhouri (Al-Wehdat), Noor Bani Attieh (Al-Faisaly)
Back: Abdullah Nasib (Al-Zawraa), Saad Al-Rosan (Al-Hussein), Yazan Al-Arab (FC Seoul), Saleem Obeid (Al-Hussein), Mohammad Abu Al-Nadi (Selangor), Hossam Abu Al-Dahab (Al-Faisaly), Ehsan Haddad (Al-Hussein), Anas Bani (Al-Faisaly), Muhannad Abu Taha (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya), Mohammad Abu Hasheesh (Al-Karma).
Middle: Noor Al-Rawabdeh (Selangor), Nizar Al-Rashdan (Qatar Sports Club), Ibrahim Saadeh (Al-Karma), Rajaei Ayed (Al-Hussein), Amer Jamous (Al-Zawraa), Mohammad Al-Daoud (Al-Wehdat), Mahmoud Al-Mardi (Al-Hussein)
Forwards: Mousa Al-Tamari (Stade Rennais), Ouda Al-Fakhouri (Pyramids), Mohammad Abu Zraiq (Raja Casablanca), Ali Azaizeh (Al-Shabab), Ibrahim Sabra (Lokomotiva Zagreb), Ali Olwan (Al-Sailiya).***
