Latest news with #JordanNationalTeam
The National
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Palestine prepare for vital Oman clash and hope a little Jordanian World Cup magic rubs off on them
The spectacular drone show that filled the skies above Amman last Thursday evening with messages of love and support for the Jordan national team may have gone, but the excitement of qualifying for a first World Cup still lingers on in this ancient city. Almost all of the billboards – digital and analogue – that frame the winding roads, display images of the team, messages of congratulations from the king or the star player Musa Al Taamari as well as Ali Olwan, the hat-trick hero from that 3-0 win over Oman that sealed the deal in Muscat. On Sunday evening in a busy shisha bar, just a long goal kick from the old Roman theatre, locals were watching Portugal beat Spain on penalties in the final of the Uefa Nations League, but among the smoke there was talk of how Jordan will do next summer in North America. For the fans, the habit of drinking lots of coffee and staying up to watch games past midnight will be a useful one in 2026. The team are also preparing – starting against Iraq on Tuesday evening. A week ago, it promised to be a tense, tight and potentially traumatic winner-takes-all affair, but now it is going to be more of a celebration following Jordan's win over Oman and Iraq's defeat to South Korea. Instead, the big match in Asia, the only one of any real meaning left in the third round of qualification, will kick off at exactly the same time just a few kilometres away. Suddenly, Palestine against Oman is the game to watch. A win for the 'home' team at the King Abdullah II Stadium – and it should feel like a home game as it is in the east of the city and near the biggest of the Palestinian refugee camps – would keep the most amazing football dream alive and send 'the Fedayoon' into the fourth round of 2026 World Cup qualifying, where six teams will compete for two more direct spots. In short, Palestine need the same result against Oman that Jordan managed. 'Jordan are an Arab national team and we are very proud of them,' Palestine coach Ihab Abujazar told The National. 'It is a big success for them, they are a strong team. They played well against Oman and now it is our turn. It is obviously an important match for us. We hope to translate all that we have been doing on to the pitch and win to get to the fourth round and bring happiness to the Palestinian people all over the world.' If Palestine can follow Jordan's example on the pitch, then they will be able to experience some of the same excitement off of it. 'The feeling here has been great for the past few days, especially as it was a little unexpected as most thought it would go down to the final game,' Palestine fan and Amman resident Omar Yousef told The National. 'I hope it inspires Palestine but the team doesn't need it, we have been close to going out of qualification a few times but when we needed to, we got a .result.' The latest was last week's gritty 2-0 win away in Kuwait, one that showed how far the team has come. Last year, Palestine finished second behind Australia in the second stage to join the last 18 in the third round where there have been two draws with the mighty South Korea. There is now a chance to move to within genuine touching distance of a World Cup. Considering the continuing devastation at home and playing all games away, just to get that close would be an achievement at least as impressive as Jordan's direct entry. 'We were so happy to be here and have a chance to play against teams like South Korea and their big stars but we showed that we can match them and that we deserve to be here.' said Yousef. 'Now we want more. If we can draw with South Korea in Korea then we can beat Oman in Amman, and then who knows?' A second night of World Cup celebration in Amman in the space of five days would be unprecedented in the city's long history. 'The mood here has been a little happier and brighter since Jordan qualified,' added Yousef. 'That spirit is making us dream.'
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Uzbekistan, Jordan savour sweet taste of success after making World Cup for first time
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players but said 'this victory belongs to all of us' after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time. In Jordan, meanwhile, huge celebrations erupted after the national team also qualified for the 2026 World Cup, earning their first-ever spot at the four-yearly football bonanza following a decisive 3-0 victory against Oman. While Uzbekistan and Jordan made history on Thursday, the pair will be joined by perennial participants South Korea, who also booked their place. Uzbekistan's White Wolves – ranked 57th in the world – claimed their spot with a 0-0 draw in the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A, alongside already-qualified Iran. Uzbekistan have tried and failed to qualify seven times since their independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, suffering heartbreak in the final stage of continental qualifiers for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014. A drone show in Amman to celebrate Jordan's qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Photo: Xinhua A genuine force in Asia since their 1994 Asian Games triumph, the Uzbekistan FA has invested heavily in youth development in the attempt to take the final step onto the world stage.
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.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Princess Rajwa shows support in sporty style at World Cup qualifier
DUBAI: Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan attended the AFC World Cup qualifier match between Jordan and Oman on Thursday, opting for a look that blended national pride with contemporary style. The princess, who is of Saudi origin, wore the official home shirt of the Jordan national football team, featuring a white base with red collar and sleeve accents. She paired the jersey with Victoria Beckham's structured pocket trousers in the 'Sandstorm' shade, featuring a high-waisted silhouette with fine pinstripes and curved front pockets. A post shared by NB | Imperial • Royal • Noble • Aristocratic (@noblesblogger) To accessorize, Princess Rajwa chose pieces from Bilarabiya Jewellery. She wore the brand's 'Abjad Hawaz' single earring and a custom necklace bearing the name of her daughter, Princess Iman, written in Arabic. Princess Rajwa sat alongside Princess Iman and Princess Salma, the sisters of the crown prince, who were also dressed in the national team's shirt. The Jordanian national team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history, following a decisive 3-0 victory over Oman. Jordan secured its spot on the penultimate day of Asian qualifying for the tournament, which will be held in the US, Mexico and Canada.
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
