Dubai: Jordan fans hope to travel to North America to support their team at 2026 World Cup
Euphoric Jordanian expats in the UAE are hoping to take the long flight to North America following their team's historic Fifa World Cup qualification.
Jordan last week became the first Arab team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup which will be played in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Twelve years after their heartbreaking defeat to a star-studded Uruguay team in the inter-continental playoffs which denied them a chance to play in the 2014 World Cup, Jordan's greatest footballing dream has finally come true.
'As a Jordanian and as an Arab seeing our national team qualify for the World Cup is a moment of indescribable pride,' said Sharjah resident Osama Alrefaee.
'I was surrounded by friends and family, and as soon as the final whistle blew, we burst into cheers, hugs, and happy tears.'
Alrefaee says it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to cheer for his team in North America next year.
'If I have the chance, I'll be there waving the Jordanian flag with pride. Supporting the team in person on such a global stage would be a dream come true,' he said.
Passion for football
Abu Dhabi resident Hiba Al Mubarak knows what it's like to be in a World Cup, having attended a few matches in Qatar 2022.
But now supporting Jordan from the stands next year in North America will be the greatest moment of her life.
'Every Jordanian is so proud that we have become the first Arab team to qualify for the next World Cup. I am sure the whole country would want to be at the World Cup next year,' she said.
'But going to a World Cup is very expensive, not every family can afford it. I was in Qatar for a few matches in 2022. It's not easy.'
Having said that, Hiba admitted that some of her compatriots could be inspired by what a lot of Argentinian fans did at the Qatar World Cup.
'I met a few Argentinian fans and I was truly amazed by their passion for the game. A lot of them said they took loans and some of them even sold their personal belongings to be able to travel to Qatar,' she said.
'They are so passionate about football. For them, it's more than a game. And as a Jordanian, I know that our people are also very passionate about football. So, you never know, a few of them can do the same to watch the World Cup in North America next year.'
Only Jordan
Until the 2022 World Cup, Dubai resident Hamza Raqqad had only supported one team, England.
'I have always supported them because my mother is English. But my father is Jordanian,' said Hamza who watched Jordan's decisive win over Oman in the qualifier last week at a Jordanian café in Dubai.
Now next year, Hamza will support only Jordan even if they are drawn in the same group with England.
'There will be no England next year for me. Only Jordan,' he said. 'I was raised in Jordan and it's difficult not to be emotional now. When they put the national flags of the qualified teams on the Fifa website, I saw the Jordanian flag and it filled me with so much pride.'
Unlike the other Jordanian expats, Fahed Zoumot's perspective was different. The 40-year-old Dubai resident was a former international cager, having played for the Jordanian national basketball team.
'I know the responsibility you have on your shoulders when you wear the national team jersey and the sacrifices it takes to give your best in every match and every training session for your country,' said Zoumot who admired the dazzling skills of Brazilian football icons Romario and Ronaldinho.
'Basketball is popular in Jordan, but football is massive. So what this team has done is just incredible because it was such a tough qualifying campaign. To be able to enjoy this moment is so special now, especially after that 2013 heartbreak against Uruguay,' he said.
Yasser Abdalrahman was at the stadium in Amman when Uruguay broke Jordanian hearts in 2013 by beating them 5-0 in the playoff.
'I was at the stadium and almost in tears after our team lost. It was heartbreaking. So now after all the years of hurt, I cannot express my joy of seeing my team reach the World Cup,' said Yasser, an influencer who socializes with Ali Alwan and Yazan Al Naimat, two of the stars of the team that made history.
'I know a lot of the players, they are my friends. So I am hoping that I can travel next year to the US and cheer them on.'
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