World Cup 2026: We are here to enjoy ourselves – Jordan coach Jamal Sellami

Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami has acknowledged the enormous challenge awaiting his side at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the team’s primary objective is to gain valuable experience while proudly representing Jordan on football’s biggest stage.

The Jordanian national team is preparing for a historic moment as it gets ready to make its first-ever appearance at the World Cup finals. However, the debutants face a daunting task after being drawn in a difficult group alongside Argentina, Algeria and Austria.

Historic Debut on the Global Stage

Jordan will begin its World Cup journey against Austria on June 17 before facing fellow Arab nation Algeria on June 23. The group stage campaign will conclude with a blockbuster clash against reigning world champions Argentina on June 28.

Speaking to beIN Sports, Sellami highlighted the importance of the team’s recent preparations and the value of testing his players against high quality opposition before the tournament.

“The past few days represented our last chance to prepare for the World Cup, so we were keen to play strong matches so that the players would get used to facing high technical levels.”

Focus on Progress Rather Than Results

Jordan’s preparations included two challenging friendly matches against Switzerland and Colombia, both ending in defeat. Despite the results, Sellami believes the team benefited significantly from the experience.

“The friendly matches were useful and achieved the goals we sought, and the results were not the only goal for us. The team’s performance has improved from one match to another, all the players are ready, and we still have 5 days before the first match, and we have elements capable of delivering a level befitting the Jordanian national team.”

The coach also expressed confidence in the relationship he has built with his squad since taking charge.

“I have been working with the national team for two years, and I have a good relationship with the players. We have learned from the mistakes we made during the past period, and we still have several days to continue preparing in the best possible way for the opening match.”

Realistic About the Challenge Ahead

While excited about Jordan’s first World Cup appearance, Sellami admitted that his team faces opponents with greater experience and resources.

“If we want to be realistic, we will face strong and experienced teams that have greater capabilities than us. We came to the World Cup to learn and enjoy this experience, as it is a historic opportunity for Jordanian football to be present at this great global event.”

The Moroccan coach also pointed to the quality of the teams waiting for Jordan in the group stage.

“We will face the world champion in the last match, and we will also play against one of the strongest Arab teams, the Algerian team, which includes many stars, in addition to the Austrian team, which is characterised by its collective strength and great discipline, and we will face it in the opening match.”

No Fear Despite Tough Opposition

Despite the difficulty of the task, Sellami stressed that his players will approach the tournament with confidence and determination.

“We have no fears, and we will play in a way that suits our abilities and potential. We know our opponents well, and we seek to appear in a good way and give our best.”

Building for the Future

Beyond the results, Sellami hopes Jordan’s participation will create new opportunities for the country’s emerging talent and leave a lasting legacy for the national team.

“We aspire for this participation to open the doors of professionalism for a number of young players, so that they may form the core of the future of Jordanian football in the coming years.”

As Jordan prepares for its long-awaited World Cup debut, Sellami and his players will be hoping to make history while laying the foundation for a brighter future for Jordanian football.