Jordan’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ marks the start of a new chapter rather than the end of a long journey. The nation’s first World Cup appearance begins on a blank page, with no history to look back on and no safety net to ease the pressure. After decades of trying, Jordan arrive on the global stage determined not only to take part, but to confirm the progress they have made, aware that while participation alone is an honour, the journey does not end there.
The Nashama step into the spotlight with Group J outings against Austria and Algeria in San Francisco Bay Area, before a meeting with world champions Argentina in Dallas.
With Yazan Al-Naimat sidelined by the serious injury he sustained at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™, and his participation in North America still uncertain, FIFA looks at five players who can step into the spotlight to shape Jordan’s first World Cup appearance.
Mousa Al-Taamari
Although he has gone on to carve out a path of his own, the nickname ‘Jordan’s Messi’ followed Mousa Al-Taamari at the start of his career and resurfaced following the FIFA World Cup draw, which placed the AFC outfit against the reigning world champions. Armed with a lethal left foot, the 28-year-old’s bursts from the flank and sharp transitions from wide to central areas mark Al-Taamari out as one of the Nashama’s key attacking outlets, and the player upon whom Jordanian fans pin their hopes of making the difference.
Al-Taamari’s career reflects his step-by-step progress. After emerging through the ranks at Shabab Al-Ordon, he moved to Europe with APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus before continuing his development with Oud-Heverlee Leuven in Belgium. There, consistent performances earned him a transfer to Montpellier in the summer of 2024, a move that soon led to a bigger stage when Rennes invested close to eight million euros to sign him just six months later. He has continued to shine at Rennes this season, scoring three goals and providing five assists across all competitions to date.
Al-Taamari’s impact extends beyond the pitch, stretching into the changing rooms, where he constantly pushes his team-mates to aim higher. In an interview with FIFA following Jordan’s historic qualification, he explained: “The secret lies first and foremost in the Jordanian players’ spirit. Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup marks a historic milestone, but it is only the beginning. Our goals and ambitions are now greater – we want to showcase both Jordan and our football on the global stage.”
Ali Olwan
As one-third of the Nashama’s attacking ‘trio of terror’, Ali Olwan is never afraid to take charge when it matters most. Olwan’s leadership was on full display at the FIFA Arab Cup last month, with both Mousa Al-Taamari and Yazan Al-Naimat absent for much of the tournament. Olwan rose to the occasion, topping the scoring charts with six goals and leading the team to the final, where he struck twice against defending champions Morocco.
In the final third, Olwan presents himself as a dynamic forward, capable of playing effectively and impactfully across multiple positions. He combines speed with physical strength and possesses a clear goalscoring instinct inside the penalty area, alongside an ability to make intelligent movements and seek the ball behind defensive lines. Such maturity stems from a career shaped by experiences in Qatar and Venezuela, before most recently settling at Al-Karma SC in Iraq, where he continues to refine his attacking tools and maintain his consistency.
At 25, he also stands out for his tactical awareness and ability to create space for team-mates, alongside a strong commitment to pressing and defensive transitions. Despite his tireless off-the-ball work, Olwan has maintained his scoring impact with the national team, netting 27 international goals, including nine in qualification, which played a direct role in helping Jordan reach the finals.
Yazan Al-Arab
Yazan Al-Arab is one of the pillars of the Jordan side and a guiding presence on the pitch. At the core of the defence, he anchors the backline with clear authority, harnessing his aggression in challenges and his ability to instinctively read the game and regain possession at just the right moment. In possession, he is also a key figure in building play from the back and progressing the ball under pressure.
Al-Arab has honed his defensive qualities step-by-step throughout his career, beginning at home with Al-Jazeera and Al-Wehdat, before gaining experience abroad in Malaysia, Iraq, and Qatar. That progression led to his most significant move yet, to FC Seoul in South Korea in 2024, where he quickly established himself as a key starter and was selected in the league’s team of the season. During pre-season preparations, he also made his mark by scoring against Barcelona in a friendly.
The 29-year-old embodies the essence of what it means to be Nashmi, reflecting the nickname of the Jordan national team, the Nashama; a mentally present leader who supports his team-mates both on and off the pitch. With 70 international caps to his name, Al-Arab has become his team-mates’ defensive touchstone in tense moments and an indispensable figure in Jordan’s journey.
Tammer Bany Odeh
Tammer Bany Odeh adds a different dynamic to Jordan’s midfield. Trained in Europe, he began his professional career in Denmark with Boldklubben 1893 and Randers before moving to English football with Championship side West Bromwich Albion, who invested four million euros to secure his signing.
The 22-year-old stands out as a versatile attacking midfielder, adept at both distributing the ball and moving between the lines in attack. Bany Odeh consistently demonstrates his capacity to adapt to various attacking roles, whether playing behind the striker or across the front line, offering the team a valuable tactical option. Although raised in Europe and a Danish national, he opted to play for Jordan, making his debut for the Nashama in a friendly against Mali in November 2025.
Nizar Al-Rashdan
Anchoring the midfield, Al-Rashdan serves as the stabilising presence that maintains the team’s balance. As a defensive pivot, he focuses on organising play and regaining possession in midfield, providing stability between the lines and allowing attacking players to advance without compromising team structure.
Al-Rashdan’s career began in Jordan with Al-Hussein and Al-Faisaly. This was followed by spells in the UAE, Bahrain, and Iraq, most recently with Al-Zawraa, and he is currently a free agent, with growing indications linking him to a move to the Qatari league. The 26-year-old has earned 38 international caps and was a core member of the squads led by Jamal Salami and, before him, Hussein Amouta, contributing to Jordan’s achievements in 2024 and 2025.
