Jordan plays Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifier

AMMAN — Jordan’s national team plays Saudi Arabia in an away game in Riyadh on Tuesday in the final Group G qualifier for the 2026 World Cup aiming to come home with a win that will consolidate their performance, lineup and confidence ahead of the next stage in the journey.

Jordan hope to reverse its 2-0 Leg 1 defeat to Saudi Arabia  although it has already booked a spot in stage 3 of World Cup qualifying as well as the next edition of the 2027 Asian Cup after they beat Tajikistan 3-0 at Amman International Stadium on Thursday with HRH Crown Prince Hussein, Jordan Football Association Chairman Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and many members of the Royal Family cheering on the team.

Striker Yazan Nu’eimat was the man of the match scoring a goal and assisting in two as the squad secured moving to the next stage with observers now believing Jordan can make it the World Cup for the first time with FIFA expanding the format to include 16 more teams in the upcoming 2026 edition.  

In qualifiers so far, 71st ranked Jordan beat 195th ranked Pakistan 7-0 and 3-0, held 99th ranked Tajikistan 1-1 while 53rd ranked Saudi Arabia beat Tajikistan 1-0 and tied 1-1.

Eight Arab teams who have qualified to the next stage are Iraq, Palestine, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan.

Jordan’s Moroccan coach Hussein Amouta has shifted the squad’s mental edge and the team’s competitive style and strategy on the pitch with players becoming household names following their memorable performance at the 2023 Asian Cup where they reached the final match before  settling for runner-up.