Jordan to battle Spain, Mexico and NZ in FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

AMMAN – Jordan will play Spain in the opening of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 at Amman International Stadium on September 30.

The draw for the group stage of the tournament –– which took place during a major event at the Al Hussein Cultural Centre Amman, on Monday –– put the national team in Group A, facing Spain, Mexico and New Zealand. 

The 16 teams to play in the tournament were divided into four groups.

Group B includes Venezuela, Germany, Cameron and Canada, while Group C consists of Nigeria, Brazil, England and Korea DPR. 

Group D consists of the US, Paraguay, Ghana and Japan, title holders. 

Four stadiums, Amman International Stadium, King Abdullah II International Stadium in Qweismeh, Al Hassan Stadium in Irbid and Prince Mohammad Stadium in Al Zarqa, will host the 32 matches over the course of 22 days. 

The draw was attended by HRH Prince Ali, president of the Jordan Football Association. Lydia Nsekera, (a member of the FIFA Council) representatives of the teams taking part in the competition, journalists from various media organisations, and hundreds of other guests also attended.

The event included a video presentation about Jordan, describing its beauty and its preparations to host the global youth football fiesta. 

“This is a dream come true. It has been a long and challenging journey to get here, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported this challenge. Most of all, I’d like to thank our girls. Some of them are here today. Others who joined us at the beginning of our journey have since retired. But if it wasn’t for all their dedication and determination, we wouldn’t be here for this draw today. This tournament will be a milestone for women’s football in the region and the world. And we hope you enjoy our hospitality, whilst in the country,” Prince Ali said in his speech. 

Head coach of the national Jordanian team Robert Johnson said the team will play against tough competitors to make to the next round. 

“Qualifying to the second round is our objective. We will be very positive about the draw. If I can impose a little more into the girls then hopefully they will get that same feeling or motivation,” Johnson told The Jordan Times following the draw. 

Anouschka Bernhard, head coach of Germany, said all groups are difficult.

“There is no easy group there is no easy team to play. Every game will be a challenge,” she told The Jordan Times.

Tatjana Haenni, FIFA head of women’s football, said a tournament like this can help boost the game in the region. 

Currently, there are a total of 720 registered female players in the Kingdom, according to FIFA website.