The 2026 FIFA World Cup will welcome another fresh face to soccer’s biggest stage. In an evening of high drama and jubilation across the AFC region, a second nation joined Uzbekistan in making history by clinching a World Cup berth for the very first time. While the soccer world had eyes on familiar powerhouses, this milestone was quietly but resolutely written in a stadium far from the spotlight—and by a team that had never crossed this threshold before.
This time, it’s not just about the usual suspects. It’s about a country that had come close in the past, falling heartbreakingly short in 2013, but finally sealing its place among the global elite thanks to a stunning series of results—and some help from another fixture.
The Nashama’s road to history
That team is Jordan, known passionately by their supporters as “The Nashama”, meaning “The Chivalrous.” On Thursday evening, they defeated Oman 3-0 in a dominant performance that saw Ali Alwan score a sensational hat-trick at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. But the qualification itself was sealed not on their own turf, but in Basra, Iraq, where South Korea’s 2-0 win over Iraq mathematically guaranteed Jordan’s passage to the 2026 World Cup.
“I wholeheartedly congratulate the sons and daughters of our dear nation on our national soccer team’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup,” said His Majesty King Abdullah II, who took to social media to express his pride and gratitude.
“This historic qualification reflects the dedication and talent of a team we are proud of — players and staff alike,” he added on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. The King also gave a special shout-out to Jordan’s famously passionate fanbase: “The Nashama have always been — and will remain — true to their promise.”
This marks the first time ever that Jordan has qualified for the FIFA World Cup. After ten previous failed attempts, including a crushing playoff defeat to Uruguay in 2013, the eleventh campaign has finally brought redemption.
Jordan also becomes the first Arab nation to officially qualify for the 2026 edition, beating out regional heavyweights in Group B of the AFC third round qualifiers.
Night of glory in Muscat
Thursday’s win against Oman was more than just another qualifier—it was a national statement. The first goal came deep in first-half stoppage time, as Ali Alwan converted a penalty in the 45+7th minute, giving Jordan a lead they would not relinquish.
Alwan struck again in the 51st minute, capitalizing on a slick assist from Yazan Al-Naimat, before completing his hat-trick in the 64th minute with a composed finish from an Al-Tamari through ball.
That result pushed Jordan to 16 points, level with South Korea at the top of Group B, and left Oman languishing at 10 points. With Iraq unable to mount a response against South Korea later that evening, the math was complete: Jordan could no longer be overtaken for a top-two finish.
