Jordan are making their World Cup debut this summer. It’ll be a historic moment for the nation no matter what happens.
But Jordan won’t be at the World Cup to make numbers. They’ll be hoping to pull up trees and make their name known.
Get all the latest Jordan stats as the tournament unfolds plus the latest squad, manager and fixture information for the Asian side here.
Jordan route to the World Cup
AFC World Cup qualifying can look a little complicated to the untrained eye, but Jordan’s excellent performances meant there was little complication in them securing their spot at the finals for the first time in their history.
The Chivalrous Ones entered in the second round and topped their group thanks to a surprise win over Saudi Arabia. With four wins and one draw from six matches, they were able to progress into the Third Round comfortably.
In Round Three, the top two teams in each group of six has a guaranteed spot at the World Cup and Jordan managed to beat off competition from Iraq, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait to secure second place in Group B and qualify alongside South Korea without the need to enter Round Four.
Jordan World Cup 2026 fixtures
Jordan’s history-making first game will take place at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara against Austria on 16th June at 9pm local time. Fans in the United Kingdom will need to stay up late or get up early to watch that particular fixture though, with kick-off time set for 5am on 17th June.
Jamal Sellami’s men will remain in California for their second game against Algeria, again at the Levi’s Stadium. Finally, they’ll round off the group stages against the holders Argentina at the AT&T Stadium in Texas on 27th June (UK time).
READ MORE: Get the latest Jordan World Cup 2026 outright odds here
Jordan key players for World Cup 2026
Jordan top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Ali Olwan
- Key stat: Ali Olwan scored nine times in qualifying for this World Cup including a hat-trick against Oman in Muscat.
So the Golden Boot may realistically be beyond any Jordan player, but the main goalscoring threat in this squad is undoubtedly striker Ali Olwan. The 25-year-old has already racked up 29 goals for his country, with nine of those coming in qualifying for this competition. He currently plies his trade for Qatari side Al-Sailiya.
Jordan primary playmaker: Mahmoud Al-Mardi
- Key stat: The experienced Mahmoud Al-Mardi racked up an impressive seven assists in just 12 starts in AFC World Cup qualifying
Something of a journeyman within Asian football having played in Oman, Malaysia and Kuwait as well as with several Jordanian clubs, Mahmoud Al-Mardi has been a mainstay of the Jordanian team over the last 10 years, totting up 65 caps and scoring eight goals in the process. The left-winger still possesses a turn of at the age of 32 and has a dangerous right foot. His total of seven assists from 12 starts in qualifying certainly catches the eye.
Jordan card magnets & top tacklers: Nizar Al-Rashdan
- Key stat: Nizar Al-Rashdan was carded four times in his 14 appearances in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup
As the most defensive-minded player in the Jordan midfield, Nizar Al-Rashdan will be faced with the daunting task of stopping the likes of Lionel Messi and Christoph Baumgartner this summer. The 26-year-old was carded four times in qualifying and also picked up two cards in his five outings at the 2023 Asian games. A recent signing for Qatar SC, Al-Rashdan has missed very few games for his country since debuting against Haiti in 2021.
STAND-OUT STAT: Jordan will become the first nation to make their World Cup debut after previously losing an intercontinental play-off by a margin of five goals or more, having lost 5-0 on aggregate to Uruguay in the 2014 play-off.
Jordan set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Ali Olwan, Yazan Al-Naimat
- Free kicks: Musa Al-Taamari, Ali Olwan
- Corners: Musa Al-Taamari, Mahmoud Al-Mardi
Jordan tactical analysis and formation
Although nominally a 3-4-3 formation in most of their qualifying games, Jordan’s set-up will undoubtedly become more of a 5-2-3 or even a 5-4-1 out of possession in their group stage matches against stronger opponents. That’ll mean much reliance on star striker Ali Olwan to take off some pressure in the attack.
In reality though, it’ll be more about what Jordan can do defensively in order to frustrate their opponents. Sellami will likely rely on experience in this area of the pitch. Goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila plus the likely starting back three of Abdallah Nasib, Yazan Al-Arab and Mohammad Abualnadi have a combined 163 international appearances between them.
Get the latest Jordan World Cup goals, assists, shots, passes and tackle stats here
Jordan manager analysis
Moroccan manager Jamal Sellami became the first man to lead Jordan to a World Cup finals and as such is a hugely popular figure among the Jordanian population at the moment. As a player, he made 38 appearances for the Atlas Lions and enjoyed spells with Raja Casablanca and Besiktas before moving into management with FUS Rabat in 2011. He eventually took over the national team in 2024.
The team have progressed rapidly under his stewardship and possess a real togetherness that may take some of their opponents by surprise this summer. He seems set to remain in charge for the long haul and is trusted with bringing through the next generation. In the USA, Canada and Mexico though, he is likely to stick with his trusted, experienced lieutenants.
Expect the 55-year-old to adopt a disciplined approach with a back five turning into a three when goals are required.
The stats below are from his current spell in charge of the team.
| Coach | Team | P | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Sellami | Jordan | 27 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 40.7% |
Jordan World Cup FAQs
Have Jordan ever won the World Cup?
No, Jordan have never even reached the World Cup finals prior to the 2026 tournament. They will be making history when they take on Austria in June.
Where did Jordan finish at the last World Cup?
Jordan did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They were placed in qualifying Group B and finished in third place behind Australia and Kuwait but ahead of Nepal and Chinese Taipei.
Who will be Jordan captain at the World Cup?
Ihsan Haddad is the national team captain for Jordan. The Al-Hussein defender has made 59 caps for his country so far, scoring one goal.
Who is Jordan’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups?
Jordan are yet to play at the World Cup finals so are yet to score their first World Cup goal. Their all-time top goalscorer in all matches is Hamza Al-Dardour who retired from international duty in 2024 with a total of 33.
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