“In big competitions, many teams can surprise. My country Morocco reached the semifinals in the last World Cup,” stated Jordan’s head coach Jamal Sellami following their friendly match against Costa Rica on March 27, 2026.
The match, held at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkiye, ended with a score of 2-0 in favor of Jordan. This victory comes as the team prepares for their first appearance at the World Cup, where they will face Austria, Algeria, and Argentina in Group J.
Jordan secured their spot in the World Cup by finishing second behind South Korea in their Asian qualifying group. The team is currently holding their final training camp in Antalya, a decision influenced by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which led to the relocation of the regional tournament from Jordan to Turkiye.
Midfielder Noor Al-Rawabdeh expressed the team’s sentiments regarding the situation back home, saying, “Of course we feel sad about what is happening. I hope there will be peace.” He also emphasized the team’s determination, stating, “For us, we are not going just for participation.”
Jordan’s players are excited about competing on football’s biggest stage, with Mohammad Abu Alnadi noting, “It’s truly amazing. All of us are excited. It’s one of the highest levels any player can play.”
Sellami highlighted the importance of the Antalya camp for building experience, which will be crucial as they head into the World Cup scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Jordan’s Ibrahim Sabra scored their second goal during the friendly match against Costa Rica, further boosting the team’s morale ahead of the tournament.
As the World Cup approaches, Jordan aims to go as far as possible, building on the momentum from their recent performance against Costa Rica.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further developments in the team’s preparation.
