Jordan’s unprecedented qualification for the final of the Asian Cup has ignited discussions about the potential repercussions of this historic achievement on a football ecosystem grappling with a modest domestic league, escalating club debts due to dwindling revenues, and a lack of basic infrastructure modernization.
In their fifth appearance at the Asian Cup, “Al Nashama” under the leadership of their Moroccan coach, Hussein Amouta, and key players such as Musa Al-Taamari (Montpellier, France) and Yazan Al-Naimat (Al-Ahli, Qatar), advanced to the tournament’s final, surpassing their previous best performances of reaching the quarter-finals in 2004 and 2011.
Secretary-General of the Jordan Football Association, Samar Nassar, expressed hope that this accomplishment would stimulate stagnant waters, stating, “Private sector initiatives are emerging, and the sentiments of the people are stirring.”
Nassar, a former Olympic swimmer, emphasized the need for comprehensive support, urging, “We hope they will support the entire journey, not just the national team’s achievements.”
Following the qualification to the final, some institutions and banks offered financial rewards to the players who will face the defending champions, Qatar, on Saturday.
Nassar acknowledged the numerous challenges facing Jordanian football, remarking, “We need infrastructure, and we need the private sector to rally around the national team.”
International observer and Asian lecturer Manam Fakhouri asserted that reform begins with establishing a professional league association to manage local tournaments and marketing affairs.
Nassar highlighted the crucial role of clubs, stating, “Clubs are also pillars and sources of champions.
We need support for the entire system and a re-evaluation of many matters.”
Fakhouri also stressed the need for legislative adjustments, highlighting that “all Jordanian clubs operate under the umbrella of the Ministry of Youth.”
However, Nassar pointed out that qualifying for the World Cup for the first time will breathe new life into the game, affirming, “The Asian Cup is a milestone, but qualifying for the World Cup is the ultimate goal.”
The Jordanian team has so far earned only one point from their matches in the joint qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup.
Despite their promising journey, Jordan’s football history lacks significant achievements, with limited success such as winning the Arab Cup in Beirut 1997 and Amman 1999, as well as reaching the playoff qualifier for the 2014 World Cup.
Club participation in the AFC Champions League is restricted to one spot awarded to the league champion, provided they fulfill licensing requirements, while the other slot goes to the AFC Cup.
Regarding the situation of clubs, Fakhouri, who also serves as the Secretary-General of Al Jazeera Club, stressed the necessity of leveraging the Asian Cup success to attract corporate sponsors for clubs.
He emphasized that clubs also require government attention, as they operate under tight financial constraints, and the league champions receive a mere 60,000 dinars ($85,000) as a reward.
Nassar highlighted the multifaceted challenges faced by Jordanian players, noting that they often work in multiple professions besides football due to low wages, which is not conducive to a professional athlete’s lifestyle.
Legendary goalkeeper of the national team, Amer Shafi, described Jordan’s presence in this position as “miraculous,” given the modest level of the league and the dire financial situation of the clubs.
Assistant to Amouta, coach Abdullah Abu Zam’a, asserted, “What has been achieved confirms that the approach with the national team has changed, and we will continue on this path.”
Government Attention
The newspaper “Al Ghad” highlighted the increasing calls for the government’s involvement in supporting sports and athletes in the future, under the title “Achievement from the Struggles of Jordanian Football… Will the Government Pay Attention?” The newspaper emphasized the importance of the government’s role in supporting sports due to its societal significance and its ability to enhance the nation’s reputation on various platforms.
