Jordan assesses readiness ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers

AMMAN  — With about three weeks to go before the kick off of 23rd World Cup 2026 qualifiers, which also serve as qualifiers for the 2027 Asian Cup, observers and officials are not at ease with the national team’s readiness.

Jordan has failed to score a win losing four matches under new coach Moroccan coach Hussein Amouta. They went down 6-0 to Norway and 2-1 to Azerbaijan, before  hosting a four-nation tourney where they lost 3-1 to Iran and tied Iraq 2-2 before losing on penalties.

Amouta acknowledged gaps in Jordan’s defence, and that’s what he will be working on with aims of advancing Jordan to the 2026 World Cup. 

The coach who started his tenure in June, recalled 7 new players and four from the U-23 national team noting “the eventual aim would be to have a younger competitive group who can serve the national team for upcoming years”. 

The squad is set to regroup on November 5, after week 7 of the Pro League concludes, to prepare for their first Group G qualifier against Tajikistan  on November 16 before they play Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Jordan also hopes for an advanced spot in the upcoming Asian Cup 2023 slated for Qatar in January 12, 2024, where Jordan will play in Group E alongside Bahrain, Malaysia and South Korea.