Jordan's World Cup Dream: The Historic Draw and a Tough Road Ahead
18 October 2025
World Cup 2026 Draw Approaches Jordan's Historic Debut
Jordanian sports circles are buzzing as the World Cup 2026 draw approaches on December 5, marking the kingdom’s first-ever appearance at football's grand stage after a historic qualifying campaign that placed the Nashama among global football elites.
While the joy of reaching the World Cup is still fresh, all eyes now turn to FIFA's official ranking, which will decide Jordan's seed and shape possible opponents for a tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico with 48 teams—unprecedented in scale.
According to FIFA's seeding system, teams are divided into four pots based on the rankings issued in late 2025, just ahead of the draw. The top pot includes the highest-ranked teams plus the three hosts.
Pots two through four are arranged by ranking to ensure a balanced draw and to avoid clustering too many strong teams in one group. This framework means a team's position in the ranking will largely determine group difficulty and its chances to advance.
Jordan currently sits 66th in October's rankings, ahead of several Asian teams but well behind most powerhouses on the continent. With competitors like Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, and Saudi Arabia ahead, the Nashama are unlikely to land in pots one or two.
Even with the possibility of improvement through friendlies, the most plausible scenario is a placement in pots three or four. If Jordan stays near its current position, it would probably face high-caliber teams from pots one or two.
From a practical perspective, if placed in pot one, Jordan could meet Argentina, Brazil, England, or one of the hosts (USA or Mexico). From pot two, potential groupmates include the Netherlands, Croatia, Denmark (if they qualify), Japan, Morocco, or Uruguay.
Thus, Jordan's group could be fiery: a global champion or European powerhouse, plus a strong Asian or African side, and another debutant or mid-ranked team. Despite the daunting task, Jordan has some traits that could help it perform well on its first World Cup stage: fighting spirit and tactical discipline.
Yet some players' form has dipped, and defensive issues remain a concern as the World Cup nears. There has been no official statement from the Jordan Football Association about coach Jamal Al-Salami's future, but the Arab Cup in December in Qatar looms large as a potential inflection point for him and the team.
Looking ahead, a strong showing in Qatar could bolster Al-Salami's position as Jordan gears up for the next cycle. The squad's resilience and work ethic have been evident since the qualification, even as questions linger about defense and personnel like Yazan Al-Naimat and Ali Allowan.
In sum, Jordan faces a historic moment: a first World Cup appearance awaited since qualification, with the draw shaping a challenging yet hopeful path. The nation will watch closely as the index of global teams unfolds, hoping for a favorable quartet that could spark a memorable debut.
Punchline time: If Jordan keeps its eyes on the ball and its defense on a tight leash, the only thing going off-script will be the opponents’ game plan—and even that might end up in their favor. Punchline 2: In the world of football, group stages are like a sniper’s sight—steady aim, sharp reflexes, and a surprise finish that makes the crowd roar.
