Jordan’s national football team made history on Thursday by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. The team sealed its place in the 2026 tournament after a commanding 3-0 win against Oman during the Asian qualifying rounds. The result sparked wild celebrations across the country, especially in the capital, Amman, where excited fans filled the streets, honking car horns, waving flags, and chanting victory songs.
A stunning drone light show lit up the sky with messages like “We are all with you!” and “It’s getting closer, heroes,” capturing the nation’s excitement. This moment came on the penultimate day of the Asian qualifiers. Jordan’s qualification was confirmed after South Korea defeated Iraq 2-0 later that same day.
Ali Olwan delivered a standout performance, scoring all three goals and leading Jordan to a historic win. The striker’s hat-trick earned him national hero status, adding to his team’s runner-up finish at the 2023 Asian Cup.
The emotional high was also felt far from home. King Abdullah II, who was in London at the time, watched the match from the Jordanian embassy. Photos shared by the royal court showed him proudly wearing the national team jersey. In a message posted on social media, he praised the team’s effort and thanked the supporters, describing the achievement as “well-deserved.”
Across Jordan, the reaction was deeply personal. Sohad Idrissi, a 48-year-old housewife, called the team’s performance “a beautiful game” and said the joy of Eid al-Adha was doubled by the team’s success. Fadi Qalanzi, a university student, described the qualification as a dream come true. Retired civil servant Osama al-Shreeda, who has followed the team since 1978, said the global spotlight on Jordanian players was long overdue. Schoolteacher Nashat Badr summed up the national mood simply: “It was about time.”
Jordan now prepares to compete in the 2026 World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada—a major milestone for both the team and its fans.
