Jordan — World Cup dream caught between absences and visas

Jordan — As the 2026 World Cup finals approach, the eyes of Jordanians turn toward the “Al-Nashama” national team, which is preparing for the most significant moment in Jordanian football history. Having achieved a historic qualification to the World Cup for the first time, this accomplishment has energized the sports community and redefined the ambitions of fans who now dream of an exceptional participation on the world’s biggest football stage.

The Jordanian national team is undergoing preparations led by Moroccan coach Jamal Sellami. Sellami established a long-term training program, benefiting from securing early qualification after Jordan took second place in Group B during the third round of the Asian Qualifiers. In recent months, Sellami has focused on elevating the team’s technical and physical readiness through training camps and strong friendly matches, alongside expanding the pool of technical options in search of the most balanced squad before the tournament begins.

Al-Nashama getting ready

Al-Nashama is counting on a group of players capable of making a difference, led by star Musa Al-Taamari, who continues to deliver remarkable performances in European leagues, thanks to his great speed and ability to create chances and finish in the attacking third. He is joined by defender Yazan Al-Arab, who is one of the pillars of the backline, known for his international experience and strong defensive presence. Jordanian fans also anticipate the emergence of several ambitious young players eager to prove themselves in Jordan’s historic first appearance at the World Cup.

Despite the positive atmosphere surrounding the team, the technical staff suffered a significant setback with the confirmed absence of striker Yazan Al-Naimat, alongside Yazan Al-Quraishi, due to injury. This presents Sellami with a real challenge to find suitable replacements capable of compensating for the absences and maintaining the team’s technical balance, especially given the strength of the anticipated competition in the tournament.

Despite these absences, optimism remains strong within the Jordanian sports community, given the remarkable development Jordanian football has witnessed in recent years. The national team succeeded in reaching the final of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup for the first time in its history before losing the title to Qatar. It then continued its strong continental and regional presence by reaching the final of the 2025 Arab Cup, where they lost to Morocco after powerful displays that confirmed the Jordanian team has become a genuine contender on the Asian and Arab scene.

Widespread public support in Jordan

The Jordanian national team will begin its 2026 World Cup campaign in Group 10, which includes Argentina, Algeria, and Austria. Al-Nashama will kick off their historic participation with a match against Austria on June 16, a game Jordanians await with great excitement and hope that the team will write a new chapter in the history of Jordanian football and present an image that reflects the level of development the sport has reached in the Kingdom.

The Jordanian national team enjoys widespread public support ahead of its historic participation in the 2026 World Cup, amidst an unprecedented state of national mobilization that reflects the significance of the event for the Jordanian public. Fans have started early preparations to support Al-Nashama, both from within Jordan and through Jordanian communities in the host countries, a scene that reflects the major transformation Jordanian football is undergoing after its first World Cup qualification.

Jamal Sellami said in an interview with FIFA’s website that the Jordanian team is not going to the World Cup “just to participate,” emphasizing that the goal is “to present a positive image and honor Jordanian and Arab football” during Al-Nashama’s first appearance in the World Cup.

Sellami added that the historic qualification has given the players and fans immense confidence, noting that the team is experiencing an “exceptional moment” after years of attempts to reach the World Cup. He also stressed that the technical staff is working to prepare the team mentally and technically to face teams with extensive global experience.

Visa anxiety

The Canary covered in a previous report the state of anxiety felt by a number of Jordanian national team fans before the start of the 2026 World Cup, due to difficulties in obtaining US visas, despite Al-Nashama’s historic first qualification for the World Cup.

The report monitored fan fears about losing the opportunity to attend the global event due to lengthy appointment procedures and the increased probability of some applications being rejected, in addition to the high costs of travel and accommodation within the United States.

The report indicated that the dream the Jordanian public had awaited for decades has, for some, turned into a race against time to secure visas and travel arrangements, especially with the great demand for the team’s matches, foremost among them the highly anticipated confrontation with the World Cup champions, the Argentina national football team.

The report also conveyed the determination among supporters to back Al-Nashama despite the obstacles, a scene that reflects the depth of the popular connection to the national team and the national symbolism represented by Jordan’s participation in the World Cup.

Featured image via Dan Mullan/Getty Images