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Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Jordan Crown Prince celebrates with team after historic World Cup qualification
There were unprecedented scenes at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in neighbouring Oman on Thursday, June 5. As Muslims prepared to celebrate the blessed occasion of Eid Al Adha, Jordan had more reasons to rejoice as they rewrote a slice of history. The Hashemite Kingdom qualified for the World Cup for the first time. Ali Olwan, the 25-year-old striker fired a hattrick as Jordan defeated hosts Oman 3-0. The victory moved them to 16 points. And their ticket to next year's showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico was confirmed after South Korea's 2-0 win against Iraq in Basra. The top two teams in each of the three Asian groups go straight to the World Cup, while those finishing third and fourth — the UAE and Qatar hold those slots in Group A — enter a fourth round of qualifiers. As Jordan celebrated this stellar achievement, no one was more happier than the team's "12th man", who has been the squad's pillar of support. Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein, an avid football lover, was in the stands to support the team. He later met the team following the match and the love, affection and respect was evident as the cheered the Crown Prince. Later, the Crown Prince cut a cake with the team onboard Royal Jordanian Airlines, the country's flagship carrier. Watch the video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Royal Jordanian (@royaljordanian) And on Friday, the Crown Prince and the squad touched down in Jordan where they were received by Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein and Prince Hashem bin Abdullah. Watch the video below: #جابÙ�Ù�ا_اÙ�أبطاÙ� #اÙ�أبطاÙ�_Ù�Ù�_اÙ�Ù�Ù�Ù�دÙ�اÙ� — Jordan FA - اÙ�اذØاد اÙ�أردÙ�Ù� Ù�Ù�رة اÙ�Ù�دÙ� (@JordanFA) June 6, 2025 Crown Prince later took to Instagram where he posted a video which contained footage chronicling Jordan's footballing journey and he wrote: "After a long journey, the dream is now a reality. This is for every Jordanian who believed in the dream." Watch the video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Al Hussein bin Abdullah II (@alhusseinjo) Ahead of the game, the Crown Prince shared a heartwarming Instagram story of his daughter Princess Iman wearing the team's jersey.
Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
Jordan celebrate reaching first World Cup after win against Oman
Jordan is celebrating the qualification of its football team for a FIFA World Cup for the first time following a decisive 3-0 victory against Oman. Huge celebrations erupted as fans drove their cars through Jordan's capital Amman late on Thursday and into Friday, honking their horns and chanting victory while others waved the national flag in triumph. 'We are all with you!' and 'It's getting closer, heroes' read messages written into the night sky in a spectacular drone light show. Jordan sealed their place on the penultimate day of Asian qualifying for the 2026 tournament, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Ali Olwin netted a hat-trick as the 2023 Asian Cup runners-up to Qatar etched their name in the history books. They secured their spot in the World Cup when South Korea defeated Iraq, also on Thursday, 2-0. The royal court published pictures of King Abdullah II wearing a national team jersey as he watched the game from the embassy in London, where he was on a visit. I wholeheartedly congratulate the sons and daughters of our dear people on our national football team's qualification for the World Cup finals,' he wrote on social media platform X. 'This historic qualification is well-deserved by our team, which includes stars and cadres of whom we are proud. 'Special thanks go to our loyal fans who have been our support and encouragement.' His Majesty King Abdullah watches the national football team's World Cup qualifier match against Oman, at the Jordanian embassy in London, during a working visit to Europe( Photos courtesy of Royal Court ) — The Jordan Times (@jordantimes) June 5, 2025Sohad Idrissi, a 48-year-old housewife who watched the game with her siblings, beamed with pride as she told AFP that her side had played 'a beautiful game and deserved to qualify for the World Cup'. 'Today the joy is two-fold: there is the joy of Eid al-Adha, and the joy of Nashama qualifying,' she said, using a nickname for the Jordanian team. Fadi Qalanzi, a 21-year-old university student, called the win 'a dream that is finally coming true'. 'Our team put on a beautiful performance, and they truly deserved to qualify,' he added. Osama al-Shreeda, a 60-year-old retired civil servant, also called it a dream come true. 'I've been following Jordanian football since 1978, and a relative of mine used to play with the national team,' he said. 'It's a great opportunity for our team and its players to be recognised globally,' he added, calling it an achievement not just for Jordan but for the wider Arab region. 'It was about time, this is a joy we'd been waiting for, for a long time,' said 55-year-old teacher Nashat Badr. For Uzbekistan, a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates was enough to take the second automatic qualification spot in Group A behind Iran. With Asia now having eight guaranteed qualifiers – after just four for the 2022 edition in Qatar – Uzbekistan was a likely contender to step up. While most of its team plays in the domestic league, it includes a few Europe-based stars like Roma forward Eldor Shomurodov and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov. Jordan's highest-profile player is winger Mousa Tamari at French club Rennes. Palestine's 2-0 win in Kuwait kept alive their hopes of reaching their first World Cup finals. The victory, thanks to goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali, means Palestine in fifth spot in Group B are one point outside the playoff qualification positions with one game to play. A win in their final match in Amman, Jordan, against Oman, who hold fourth spot and are one point ahead of Palestine, on Tuesday will see them finish above their opponents. Third and fourth positions in the three groups, in the third round of AFC qualifiers for the World Cup, progress to a fourth qualifying stage of playoffs. The top two teams from each of the three six-team groups qualify automatically for next summer's tournament, while the teams in fifth and sixth position are eliminated. Indonesia, meantime, remain on course for a playoff finish, and only a second appearance at a World Cup finals, following their 1-0 win against China to hold fourth spot in Group C.
The National
4 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Jordanians celebrate historic World Cup qualification
Jordan have qualified for the Fifa World Cup for the first time, sparking nationwide celebrations
The National
4 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Jordan celebrate historic World Cup qualification, King Abdullah II leads tributes
Jordan's King Abdullah II led the tributes as his nation celebrated reaching the Fifa World Cup for the first time in their history. Ali Olwan was the hero for the Jordanians as he netted a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Oman in Muscat on Thursday night. The jubilant away supporters were joined by Crown Prince Hussein, who was seen celebrating in the stands. The win put the 2023 Asian Cup runners-up into a commanding position to secure a top-two finish in AFC qualifying Group B behind leaders South Korea, and their progress was confirmed a few hours later when the Koreans beat Iraq 2-0 in Basra. Jordan's King Abdullah II congratulated the team on social media. 'This historic qualification is well-deserved by our team, which includes stars and cadres of whom we are proud,' he wrote on X. 'Special thanks go to our loyal fans who have been our support and encouragement.' Jordan's qualification for the expanded 48-team tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico extends a rewarding period for the national team after their run to the Asian Cup final in 2023. In that competition they eliminated South Korea in the last four before eventually losing to hosts Qatar in the final. The South Koreans cemented top spot in AFC Group B and consigned Iraq to another round of qualifying with a routine victory at the Basra International Stadium. The Iraqi cause was not helped by a first-half red card for Ipswich striker Ali Al Hamadi and goals after the break from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu confirmed their defeat. The Iraqis will drop into the fourth round of qualifying where they will be joined by either Palestine or Oman who meet next week in a winner-takes-all clash. Palestine kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Kuwait on Thursday thanks to goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali. The six teams who finish third and fourth across the three AFC groups will enter a fresh phase of qualifying featuring two groups of three with the winners of each section sealing a place at the finals. Four of the six teams – UAE, Qatar, Indonesia and Iraq – are already known, with most likely Saudi Arabia and one of Palestine and Oman to complete the line up. Saudi Arabia alive but face steep task Saudi Arabia and Australia will go head-to-head next Tuesday for the second automatic spot in Group C. Australia remain in pole position following their last-gasp win against group leaders Japan in Perth. Defender Aziz Behich was the home hero in front of more than 57,000 fans, rifling into the corner in the 90th minute to give Tony Popovic's side a crucial 1-0 victory. 'We know there's room to grow and room to improve, but we've done something special tonight,' said Popovic, who saw his team outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side. Saudi Arabia ensured the race for second place will go down to the wire courtesy of a 2-0 win against Bahrain in Riffa. Goals in either half from Musab Al Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al Obud saw Herve Renard's men stay three points behind second-placed Australia. However, the Saudis will have to win in Jeddah by five goals to leapfrog the Socceroos. Popovic, who replaced Graham Arnold in the dugout in September, added: 'We've all played a part in getting us to this point. We want to go to Saudi Arabia and really finish the job off.' Also in Group C, Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia kept alive their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since the country's independence in 1945 with a 1-0 win over China. That leaves Indonesia fourth in the group, one point behind Saudi. Ole Romeny scored the only goal, his controversial penalty just before half time following a VAR check leaving China rooted to the bottom of the group and thus ending their hopes of making a second World Cup. UAE and Qatar will move into the next round of qualifying.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
Jordan make history, qualify for Fifa World Cup for first time
Jordan made history on Thursday by qualifying for their first World Cup. Ali Olwan scored a hattrick with the victory moving Jordan to 16 points and their place at next year's global showpiece was confirmed following South Korea's 2-0 win against Iraq later on Thursday. The top two teams in each of the three Asian groups go straight to the World Cup, while those finishing third and fourth –- the UAE and Qatar hold those slots in Group A –- enter a fourth round of qualifiers. The victory, sealed by second-half goals from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu, means South Korea reclaim top spot from Jordan, whose 3-0 victory ultimately proved enough to secure their participation at the expanded 48-team showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Both Jordan and Oman tested each other in the first 10 minutes, and Oman captain and keeper Faiyz Al Rusheidi had his first shot of adrenaline when Mousa Al Ta'mari put the ball past him in the 11th minute only for the Ligue 1 midfielder to be ruled offside. The hosts' slow and steady build-up was hampered by poor finishing, with Abdul Al Mushaifri and Harib Al Saadi both fluffing their shots in the 15th and 19th minutes respectively. Issam Al Sabhi then had a golden opportunity to put Oman ahead, but his close range shot in the 24th minute was resolutely palmed away by keeper Yazeed Abulaila. A brilliant through ball from Al Saadi from his own half in the 31st minute found Al Sabhi, who controlled the pass with his first touch but then stumbled under pressure in the box. Jordan, who only had two shots at goal in regulation, were awarded a penalty five minutes into time added on after a VAR review found Mohannad Taha had been brought down, with Olwan duly converting to give his side the advantage going into the break. It got even better for Jordan six minutes into the second half as a quick break saw Olwan getting his second when he side-footed home Yazan Al Naimat's pass from the left beyond the reach of a diving Al Rusheidi. Olwan completed his hat trick in the 64th minute when he gleefully put the ball into an empty net after Al Rusheidi was caught off-position on the right by Al Ta'mari's pass. Oman made five substitutions but it proved a little too late and the West Asians will have to give it their all in their final match against Palestine on Tuesday if they are to advance to the playoffs. (with inputs from AFC)
