BEIRUT — Jordan erupted with joy after the qualification on Thursday of the "Nashama," the national football team, for the 2026 World Cup, a first in its history.
"It's a double joy today: that of Eid al-Adha and that of the Nashama's qualification," said Souhad Idrissi, 48, to AFP, referring to the major Muslim holiday that begins on Friday.
"They played an amazing match, and they fully deserve this qualification," added the homemaker who watched the game with her brothers.
Jordan qualified for the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—benefiting from the expansion from 32 to 48 teams in the tournament — after their victory against Oman (3-0) in Muscat during the penultimate day of Asian zone qualifications.
Thanks to this success, the Jordanians can no longer be caught at second place in Group B by Iraq, third, who lost (2-0) to South Korea, first and also qualified for its eleventh consecutive World Cup.
Before the match, drones lit up the sky of the capital Amman, forming messages saying "We are all with you" and "We're going to make it."
'It's huge'
After the match, marked by a hat-trick from striker Ali Olwan, the last assisted by Rennes player Moussa al-Tamari, Jordanians exploded with joy in the streets singing, honking their horns non-stop, and waving Jordanian flags.
The royal palace released photos of King Abdullah II wearing the team's jersey, following the match from the Jordanian embassy in London, where he was on a visit.
"This historic qualification is well-deserved for our team and we are proud of its players and its staff," he declared on X.
For Fadi Qallanzi, a 21-year-old student, "it's a dream finally coming true, a dream that seemed distant" for a team ranked 62nd in the FIFA rankings.
Oussama al-Charideh, a 60-year-old retiree, has been following Jordanian football "since 1978" and "qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, it's huge," he exclaimed.
"It's a great opportunity for our team and our players to be recognized worldwide," he added.
For Nachat Badr, a 55-year-old teacher, "it was about time."
Jordanians will have another chance to celebrate this historic moment with the national team on Tuesday when the "Nashama" host Iraq in Amman for the last day of qualifications.
