Country profile
Jordan
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Key facts
Capital
Amman
Population
11,300,000
Confederation
AFC
FIFA code
JOR
Overview
Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, sits at the crossroads of the Middle East, bordering Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel and the West Bank. A land of desert vistas, the ancient rose-red city of Petra and the saline shores of the Dead Sea, it is a relatively young nation with a deep historical legacy.
Football is the country's most popular sport, and the national team — nicknamed Al-Nashama ("the gallant ones") — has become a unifying source of pride. From the streets of Amman to refugee communities, the game offers identity and joy in a region often defined by turbulence.
The 2023 Asian Cup final run electrified the kingdom, turning footballers into household heroes and inspiring a new generation.
Football culture
Domestic football revolves around the fierce rivalry between Al-Wehdat and Al-Faisaly, a fixture loaded with social and historical significance. Match days draw passionate crowds, and the national team's recent successes have stoked unprecedented fervour. Football increasingly rivals the region's love of other pursuits as a cultural touchstone.
World Cup history
Jordan had never reached a FIFA World Cup before 2026, having come agonisingly close via intercontinental playoffs in the past. Qualification for the expanded tournament marks a historic first appearance for the kingdom. It crowns more than a decade of steady progress on the Asian stage.
Location
Did you know
- Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth's land surface.
- Al-Wehdat's supporters are deeply tied to Jordan's Palestinian community.
- Jordan reached the 2023 Asian Cup final, their best-ever continental finish.
- The team's nickname Al-Nashama means roughly 'the gallant ones'.
From Wikipedia
Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. Jordan is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and both Israel and Palestine to the west. The Jordan River, flowing into the Dead Sea, is located along the…
Source: Wikipedia →