The Jordan men's national soccer team is preparing for its historic first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, set to begin Wednesday in California.
The milestone comes exactly 80 years after the kingdom gained independence.
The debutant squad secured its spot by finishing second in Group B during the third round of AFC qualifying, edging out Iraq by a single point.
Jordan has been placed in Group J alongside Austria, Algeria, and Argentina, with an all-Arab match against Algeria scheduled for June 23.
Training Camp and Royal Support
FIFA selected the University of Portland as the official Team Base Camp for Jordan during the group stage.
The team trains on the campus of the Oregon institution, one of only 48 official base camps designated across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Preparation began on May 21 at the Al-Nashama training center in Amman before moving to San Diego for a 10-day camp.
During the California stay, Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein visited the squad to boost morale.
“For me, what matters is next week, and we have great confidence in the team,” Hussein said in an interview with Qatar's beIN Sports.
“The achievements of the Jordanian national team over the past three years have given us, as Jordanians, feelings we have never experienced before.”
He added, “Today is our opportunity to present our Jordanian and Arab culture to the world.
Our group is not easy, but we have great confidence in our players. Their morale is high.
Their physical and mental preparation is at its peak.”
Hussein also highlighted the significance of regional representation. “I am happy with the level of representation by Arab teams.
We Jordanians are proud of every victory and qualification achieved by an Arab national team, just as we are proud of our own.
We are one nation, with one goal and one vision,” he said.
National Unity and Fan Excitement
The tournament features an unprecedented presence of eight Arab nations, including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iraq, following the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams.
To facilitate fan support, the Jordanian government announced that public employees could start work at 10 a. m.
on match days.
According to Prof. Ronen Yitzhak, head of Middle East studies at Western Galilee Academic College, King Abdullah's brother, Prince Ali bin Hussein, leads the Jordan Football Association, elevating the tournament to a state matter that helps citizens disconnect from economic and regional hardships.
“A people fulfilling its dream” was released by the team on June 6 as part of its official anthem lyrics, while fans across the country expressed immense pride.
“From the heart of Jordan to the brave men of Al-Nashama — today you represent not just a team, but an entire nation,” said one female fan.
Another fan stated, “Our first World Cup appearance is not just an achievement, but the beginning of history written in Jordan's name.
Raise the flag, play with a warrior's heart and show the world what it means to be Nashmi.”
Confidence remains high among the local population. “We wish Al-Nashama success.
We hope they advance from the group stage and reach the later rounds. We have complete confidence in the great Jordanian national team,” said a fan.
Public interviews conducted by Turkey's Anadolu Agency highlighted similar sentiments.
“When I see Jordan's flag flying alongside the flags of countries from around the world, I feel proud to be Jordanian,” said taxi driver Ahmad al-Khalayleh.
“Jordan is strong everywhere. It is always first and its flag will be raised everywhere.”
Wadih al-Qaisi added, “We want the whole world to know who Jordan is and what the Jordanian national team looks like.
We want them to see how Jordan can break records and fulfill the aspirations of the Jordanian people.”
The general atmosphere across the nation has been described as a collective celebration. “All Jordanians are happy about this achievement,” said Aboud al-Dik.
Young Jordanian boy Hamza Salah simply said, “Wins the Cup.”
Tactically, Moroccan head coach Jamal Sellami, who took charge in 2024 and was granted honorary Jordanian citizenship, relies on a disciplined 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 defensive structure.
The counter-attacking system focuses heavily on Rennes forward Mousa Al-Tamari, who has scored 24 goals in 91 international appearances, alongside attackers Yazan Al-Naimat and Ali Olwan.
