In our next team-by-team preview for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy game, we turn our attention to Jordan.
The Chivalrous Ones are making their debut at the World Cup finals, having failed to qualify in 11 previous attempts.
Below, we review Jordan’s recent results and key stats, as well as assess their squad and potential best players for the official Fantasy FIFA World Cup 2026 game.
SQUAD
THE ROAD TO QUALIFICATION
After an early wobble in the second round of CAF qualification, Jordan finished ahead of Tajikistan and Pakistan to make it through to round three.
And they made it to the Americas with a game to spare in third-round qualification, so the defeat to Iraq has an asterisk next to it.
Unlike ‘homers’ Qatar, Jordan were actually better on the road, avoiding defeat in every single away fixture. Even South Korea couldn’t best the World Cup debutants on their own patch.
They ranked joint-fifth for both goals scored (16) and goals conceded (eight) in AFC third-round qualification.
The xG/xG conceded numbers were slightly lower:
Above: All 18 teams in the third round of AFC qualification, sorted by xG and xG conceded (per 90 mins)
BIGGEST GOAL THREATS IN QUALIFICATION
Note: The above xG is non-penalty
Ali Olwan ($4.2m) led the way for goals scored in the qualification period (nine), bolstered by three penalties. All five of his third-round goals came against Oman.
While he was outshot by two teammates, his xG was far superior to that of any other Jordanian.
Injured striker Yazan Al-Naimat won’t be at the World Cup this summer but Mousa Al-Tamari ($5.6m) most definitely will be.
The ‘Jordanian Messi’ had the best rate of shots (3.17 per 90 minutes) in qualification, drifting in off the right to offer plenty of threat.
MOST CREATIVE PLAYERS IN QUALIFYING
Mahmoud Al-Mardi ($4.2m) looks set to benefit from Al-Naimat’s absence, taking up a role on the left.
He registered more key passes (29) and assists (seven) than any of his teammates in qualification. Both he and Al-Tamari will be prominent at set plays this summer.
Dirt-cheap defender Essan Haddad ($3.5m), a probable starter at right wing-back, ranked second in the squad for key passes (18).
SINCE QUALIFICATION
| Date | Opposition | Result | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 September 2025 | Dominican Republic | 3-0 (W) | Olwan, Sadeh, Abu Zrayq |
| 10 October 2025 | Bolivia | 0-1 (L) | |
| 14 October 2025 | Albania | 2-4 (L) | Al-Rashdan, Olwan |
| 14 November 2025 | Tunisia | 2-3 (L) | Al-Naimat, Jamous |
| 18 November 2025 | Mali | 0-0 (D) | |
| 27 March 2026 | Costa Rica | 2-2 (D) | Faisal pen, Sabra |
| 31 March 2026 | Nigeria | 2-2 (D) | Al-Tamaari, Al-Dawoud |
| 31 May 2026 | Switzerland | 1-4 (L) | Al-Fakhouri |
| 7 June 2026 | Colombia | 0-2 (L) |
While there have been no wins in the last eight friendlies, Jordan have proven themselves capable of scoring.
A counter-attacking team by nature, they scored 12 goals in the above eight warm-up matches.
Even in their two recent kickabouts, against Colombia and Switzerland, they racked up a combined 22 shots and five ‘big chances’.
Yes, they’ll likely concede a few in the Americas, but they may pose a problem for Austria and Algeria on the break.
In between the above friendlies was December’s FIFA Arab Cup. Jordan had a cracking tournament, too, reaching the final and only being beaten by Morocco after extra-time. Granted, some of the bigger sides present were devoid of their stars, but that didn’t stop Qatar, for example, from bowing out in the group stage.
WORLD CUP FIXTURES
According to the bookies’ odds, Jordan are, unsurprisingly, the rank outsiders in Group J.
If they’re going to progress from the group, they’ll likely have to pick up a result in Rounds 1 or 2. Argentina await in the final group game – although the reigning champions could well be qualified by that point, which may work in Jordan’s favour.
TOP FANTASY PICKS
Like many of the group outsiders, Jordan won’t appeal to many Fantasy managers.
But they’ve arguably got more about them than a lot of the other supposed whipping boys, and could cause a scare or two, regardless of whether they make it to the round of 32.
Star man Mousa Al-Tamari ($5.6m) is the stand-out player but again, being listed as forward does deprive of him ‘key pass bonus’, which he would have picked up as a midfielder.
Nevertheless, he’s on a share of direct free-kicks, will take corners and will rack up the shots, which could lead to ‘shots on target’ bonus.
The much cheaper Ali Olwan ($4.2m) is a budget-friendly alternative in the forward pool, and seems to be first in line for penalties.
He was the tournament top scorer at the Arab Cup, with six, having outscored his teammates in World Cup qualifying.
At the rear, you often get what you pay for – and the likelihood is that Jordan won’t keep a single clean sheet this summer. They managed only three shut-outs in 10 AFC third-round qualification games, indeed.
Essan Haddad ($3.5m), whose creativity we highlighted above, will get forward and could pop up with an assist, however.
