From Asia’s Spotlight to Arab Cup Glory: Jordan’s Bold Quest
25 November 2025
Jordan's Rise: Asian Brilliance Meets Arab Cup Ambition
The Jordanian national team is chasing its first Arab Cup title after shining on the Asian stage and securing a historic ticket to the 2026 World Cup. The Nashama have built a robust project that has begun to bear fruit in recent years, blending youth with experience and disciplined planning.
They will compete in the Arab Cup edition set for December 1-18 in Qatar, forming Group C alongside Egypt and the UAE, with the winner of Kuwait vs Mauritania awaiting in the knockout rounds.
Across nine prior appearances, Jordan has never tasted Arab Cup glory. The current boom marks a new era, highlighted by Asian breakthroughs and a World Cup 2026 qualification. A wave of talents has emerged, raising expectations for a strong Arab Cup showing.
Jordan's football story dates back to the tournament's early days. The first edition in 1963 in Lebanon saw four straight defeats and an early exit. The 1964 edition brought three losses and a single draw. The breakthrough came in 1966 with a win over Bahrain, followed by a group-stage exit in 1985 in Saudi Arabia. The 1988 edition on home soil yielded a fourth place, and the 1992 and 1998 campaigns were modest, with a third place arriving in 2002. The latest appearance was in 2021 in Qatar, where Jordan fell to Egypt in the quarterfinals under FIFA's umbrella.
Notable Upturn
Today, Jordanian football enjoys a striking upward trajectory across the board, especially the senior team, which finished as runners-up in Asia in 2023 in Qatar and secured a historic World Cup 2026 berth. A wave of talents has shone recently, fueling hopes for a strong Arab Cup showing.
A Moroccan Blueprint
The upward curve has much to do with Moroccan influence. Veteran coach Hussein Amouta impressed in the AFC Asian Cup and helped break long-standing psychological barriers, steering the Nashama to a continental final and crafting a cohesive defensive and attacking system that leverages Musa Al-Ta'amri's pace and Yazen Al-Na'imat's finishing.
When Amouta moved to the UAE, the Jordan Federation kept the Moroccan school alive by hiring Jamal Al-Salami, who carried on the work and guided Jordan to World Cup qualification for the first time in history. The under-23 side, under Moroccan coach Omar Najhi, helped develop emerging talents like Returnah Al-Fakhouri and Ibrahim Sabri.
The Al-Salami Mission
Yet Al-Salami's job will not be easy. With FIFA's calendar not including the Arab Cup, Jordan will miss several stars, including Musa Al-Ta'amri, Yazen Al-Arab (Seoul) and Noor Al-Ruwabda, Mohammad Abu Al-Nadi (Selangor), and Tamer Bani Awda (West Bromwich Albion). Recent friendlies have drawn criticism after three consecutive losses to Bolivia, Albania, and Tunisia, followed by a draw against Mali. Al-Salami favors a flexible system, often fielding three central defenders, anchored by experienced Rajai Ayed in midfield to regulate tempo and build attacks with pace on the flanks, notably from left-back Mohannad Abu Hashish.
Ahmed Al-Arsan of Al-Faisaly is expected to step in for Musa Al-Ta'amri, and Yazen Al-Na'imat has a real opportunity to reclaim his shine in Qatar. The squad's balance depends on timely fitness and tactical adjustments as they head toward the Arab Cup.
In summary, Jordan's project is built to last, with a coach cadre shaped by Moroccan influences and a generation ready to seize a continental milestone. The Arab Cup, far from a mere footnote, could become the proving ground for a national team intent on writing a new chapter in its football history. If they win, it will be the first Arab crown in Jordan's history; if not, the journey itself remains a victory as the project gains momentum.
Punchline time: Our defense is so tight, the ball needs a warrant to cross the line. And if Jordan finds the net, the trophy might need a visa to the celebrations—it’s sprinting across borders faster than a Nashama break.
