Jordan have secured a place at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history following a commanding 3-0 away victory over Oman on Thursday, under the leadership of Moroccan head coach Jamal Sellami.
The landmark win, achieved on the penultimate matchday of the Asian qualifiers, ensures Jordan cannot be overtaken in second place in Group B. With one game remaining, they hold an unassailable advantage over Iraq, who sit third after a 2-0 defeat to South Korea earlier in the day.
Ali Olwan was the hero for Jordan, scoring all three goals in a stunning hat-trick, including one from the penalty spot. His clinical performance sealed a result of immense significance for the nation, confirming their debut appearance at the global showpiece.
Jordan’s 16 points now place them comfortably behind South Korea, who top the group with 19 points, and ahead of Iraq, who remain on 12.
The outcome of the final group fixtures, South Korea against Kuwait and Jordan versus Iraq, will have no impact on the top two positions as both South Korea and Jordan have already booked their tickets to the expanded 2026 World Cup.
In the group’s other fixture, South Korea continued their dominant run with a composed 2-0 victory over Iraq. Goals from Oh Hyeon-gyu and Kim Jin-gyu sealed the win for the Koreans, who were aided by a numerical advantage after Iraq’s Ali Al-Hamadi received a red card in the 26th minute.
For Jordan, qualification marks a transformative moment in the nation’s footballing journey. Under Jamal Sellami’s guidance, the team has demonstrated remarkable progress throughout the qualifying campaign, combining tactical discipline with attacking flair.
The Moroccan coach’s impact has been widely praised, with Thursday’s triumph viewed as the culmination of months of steady development and belief.
Sellami now enters the history books as the first manager to take Jordan to a World Cup, adding a remarkable chapter to his coaching career.
The achievement is particularly significant as it comes in a qualification cycle that has proven to be fiercely competitive across Asia.
Jordan now join South Korea as the ninth and tenth nations to qualify for the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.
With the expansion to 48 teams, the World Cup has opened its doors to more nations than ever before and Jordan have seized the opportunity with a campaign defined by resilience and ambition.
They become part of a growing list of qualified teams that includes hosts Canada, the United States and Mexico, as well as Japan, Iran, New Zealand, Argentina and Uzbekistan, the latter having also booked their place on Thursday.
With their place in the World Cup now secured, Jordan can begin preparations for their historic debut on football’s grandest stage. For the team, the fans and for coach Jamal Sellami, the moment marks a dream realised and the start of a new chapter in Jordanian football.
