The Jordanian Football Association announced an important step in the preparations of the first national team, known as “Al-Nashama”, towards achieving the dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals, by hosting a high-level international friendly four-team tournament in the capital, Amman, at the end of next March.
This tournament is part of the strategic plan developed by the Jordanian Football Association and the national team's coaching staff to provide the best possible preparation before the crucial Asian qualifiers for the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will feature strong teams from three different continents: Iran, Nigeria, and Costa Rica, in addition to the host nation, Jordan, ensuring valuable experience and diverse technical exposure for the players.
Schedule of matches for the international tournament
According to the announced program, the competitions will begin on March 27 with two matches; the Jordanian national team will face its Costa Rican counterpart at King Abdullah II Stadium in Al-Quwaysimah, while the second match will see the Iranian and Nigerian national teams meet at Amman International Stadium.
The tournament concludes on the 31st of the same month, with the Jordanian national team playing its second match against Nigeria at Amman International Stadium, while the other match will be between Iran and Costa Rica at King Abdullah II Stadium.
The importance of the course in the context of the historical achievement
This tournament takes on added significance following the Jordanian national team's recent historic achievement in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, where they reached the final for the first time in their history, delivering a commendable performance that garnered widespread praise both continentally and internationally. This success has raised the bar for both fans and players, making the dream of qualifying for the World Cup seem closer than ever, especially with Asia's allocation of eight direct spots and one additional spot through the playoffs in the next World Cup.
Strategic impact on both the local and international levels
On the domestic front, hosting these major teams aims to boost the players' confidence and give them the opportunity to play in front of their home crowds in highly competitive matches. It also presents an opportunity for the Moroccan coach, Hussein Ammouta, to assess the players' readiness and experiment with different tactical approaches against diverse footballing styles. Iran is a traditional powerhouse in Asia, while Nigeria is characterized by the physicality and speed typical of African football, and Costa Rica boasts considerable experience in World Cup tournaments and represents the organized North American school of football.
On the international level, hosting such tournaments enhances Jordan's standing as a sporting destination capable of hosting international events, and reinforces the excellent reputation the Jordanian national team has earned as one of the most improved teams in Asia. Facing teams that have participated in the World Cup repeatedly provides the best possible preparation before entering the advanced and decisive stages of the World Cup qualifiers.
