Jamal Salami is leading the Jordanian national team in their first-ever participation in the 2026 World Cup, after a long journey and nine previous attempts. The Moroccan coach spearheaded this major achievement, marking a new chapter in the history of Jordanian football. The tournament will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This qualification was no coincidence but the result of intense work that began with the Jordanian national team’s impressive performance at the 2023 Asian Cup, where they reached the final for the first time in history before losing to Qatar.
Although Salami was not the coach at that time, he continued the project started by his compatriot Hussein Amouta, benefiting from the fighting spirit and confidence the players gained during that period. The draw placed Jordan in a tough group including defending champions Argentina, as well as Austria and Algeria, but Salami stresses his team is determined to put in a respectable performance.
Salami shared his feelings with the official website of the International Federation of Football after the qualification achievement, mentioning that he stepped back from celebrations to contemplate the moment, and that his true happiness comes from being able to give the Jordanian people a long-awaited moment of pride.
The Moroccan coach, who played in the 1998 World Cup with Morocco’s national team, also emphasized the importance of teamwork and believing in the goal from the start, which was reflected in the team’s performance during the qualifiers.
Currently, Jamal Salami is focusing the Jordanian national team on physical readiness to face injuries and expanding player options before traveling to the World Cup. The team played several preparatory matches against various football academies to gain the necessary experience for facing diverse teams like Austria, Algeria, and Argentina, aiming to enter the opening match in the best possible readiness.
Salami also expressed his hope to face Lionel Messi in the tournament, considering that playing against one of the greatest players is an exceptional experience for Jordanian players, especially since they will face the world champion led by a World Cup-winning coach.
Despite the major challenge, Jamal Salami and the Jordanian national team aim to leave a distinctive mark in their first participation, affirming that just being at the World Cup is an opportunity to showcase the culture and ambitions of the Jordanian people to the world.
The Moroccan coach believes that courage, unity, and determination, along with fan support, are the team’s key weapons on their World Cup journey, wishing this participation to be the beginning of a bright future for Jordanian football.
