Jordan set for first World Cup, face Austria, Algeria and Argentina

Jordan will make their first-ever FIFA World Cup finals appearance in June 2026 in North America. Coached by Moroccan manager Jamal Sellami, the 63rd-ranked Al-Nashama have been drawn in Group J alongside Austria, Algeria and defending champions Argentina. Jordan open against Austria on June 16, then meet Algeria on June 22 before closing the group against Argentina on June 27. The debut follows a sustained run of form that has lifted expectations at home.

Sellami, who took charge in June 2024 after Hussein Ammouta, has shaped a disciplined, well-structured side that looks to break with pace through its creative forwards. The approach delivered a prolific qualification campaign in which Jordan scored 32 goals, their highest tally in a single World Cup cycle.

The team also announced itself on the regional stage by reaching the 2023 Asian Cup final, where they lost to hosts Qatar, and the 2025 Arab Cup final, narrowly falling to Morocco after extra time.

Preparations have been complicated by the loss of forward Yazan Alnemat, who suffered an ACL injury in December and will miss the tournament after scoring eight goals in qualifying. Sellami has voiced confidence that his squad can adapt, with Ali Olwan—who contributed nine goals in qualifying—expected to shoulder more of the scoring load after recovering from an Achilles issue.

The coach has emphasized resilience and balance, aiming to preserve the team’s defensive structure while maintaining a threat in transition.

Ranked lowest in Group J, Jordan will need efficiency in both boxes to turn competitive performances into points. Their schedule puts early emphasis on taking something from the opener against Austria, before a meeting with Algeria that could prove decisive in the race to advance. The final game brings the sternest test against holders Argentina, whose depth and big‑tournament experience set the standard in the section.

Jordan’s leaders and attacking options

Mousa Tamari to spearhead the push

Captain Mousa Tamari is set to be a central figure. The Rennes right winger is Jordan’s only player currently competing in one of Europe’s top five leagues and comes into the tournament after a productive club season, recording seven goals and 11 assists in 36 appearances.

For the national team, Tamari has 23 goals in 76 caps and remains the primary outlet on the right, tasked with stretching defenses and providing end product. His influence on counter-attacks and set pieces will be critical to Jordan’s hopes of springing an upset.

Replacing Yazan Alnemat’s goals

Alnemat’s absence removes a reliable finisher and a pressing trigger from the front line. Olwan’s return offers an internal solution, and Sellami may rotate roles among his forwards to preserve Jordan’s quick-transition identity. The staff’s focus is on rebalancing the attack without sacrificing the compact shape that underpinned recent results. If Jordan can convert limited chances and keep games close into the final half-hour, their speed on the break could tilt key moments.

Group J picture and fixtures

Opening test and margins for error

Jordan begin against Austria on June 16 in San Francisco, facing a European side returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. A positive result would steady nerves and frame the Algeria match on June 22 as an opportunity to seize momentum. Algeria, which recorded eight wins in qualifying, will look to senior attackers such as Riyad Mahrez to create chances, posing a different challenge in midfield duels and wide areas.

Closing against the champions

Argentina await on June 27, likely with qualification stakes still in play for at least one team. For Jordan, managing game states—when to press, when to conserve energy, and how to protect defensive zones—will define their ceiling in a demanding group. Success will hinge on disciplined defending, transition sharpness and standout moments from their leaders.

Jordan will confirm their final squad and tactical tweaks in the coming weeks. Attention now turns to fitness, cohesion and set-piece detail as Sellami’s side seek to translate regional progress into a historic World Cup campaign.