27/06/2026 09:25 - Deportes
Jordan made its first-ever appearance at the World Cup 2026, a monumental achievement for a nation of just 11 million inhabitants that had never before reached football's biggest stage. While their campaign ended without points in Group J, simply qualifying represented an extraordinary triumph for a country navigating one of the world's most volatile regions.
The team faced tough opponents, including Lionel Messi's Argentina, which had already secured first place in the group with 6 points. Though Jordan was eliminated, their World Cup debut marks a turning point for football in the Hashemite Kingdom.
Jordan sits in the Levant region of the Middle East, bordered by Israel and the West Bank to the west, Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, and Saudi Arabia to the south. This location places it at the crossroads of ongoing conflicts and regional tensions.
Despite being surrounded by war zones, Jordan has maintained remarkable political stability compared to its neighbors, serving as a relative haven of calm in a turbulent region.
Jordan is home to Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World since 2007. This ancient city, carved directly into pink sandstone cliffs over 2,000 years ago, was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom.
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh), Petra's most iconic monument, stands 40 meters tall and was featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The site attracts millions of visitors annually.
Jordan has shown extraordinary humanitarian generosity, hosting millions of refugees from neighboring conflicts:
This has created significant economic challenges for a country with extremely limited water resources, yet Jordan continues to provide essential services, education, and healthcare to displaced populations.
The Jordanian Pro League was founded in 1944, though professional football began in 2006. Al-Faisaly SC is the most successful club. The national team, nicknamed "Al-Nashama" (The Brave), reached the Asian Cup 2023 semifinals, eliminating Iraq along the way.
This success propelled their World Cup 2026 qualification, making Jordan the 15th Arab nation to participate in football's premier tournament.
Population
Independence Year
First World Cup Qualifiers
On Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:00 PM (Argentina time), Jordan faced Argentina in Dallas for the third round of Group J. Argentina, already qualified with 6 points, rotated players, while Jordan sought their first-ever World Cup goal and point.
The match closed Jordan's debut campaign. Despite no points, competing on football's grandest stage represents a milestone for Jordanian football and international visibility for this small kingdom.
Source: LA NACIÓN
Alfredo S. Quiroga
