Daoud Kuttab

The Jordanian national team scored three goals in three World Cup matches. However, the most important goal wasn’t scored in any opposing team's net—yet it could make the difference between an average team and a truly exceptional one in the years to come.

Participating in the 2026 World Cup was the Jordanian national team’s most important objective, one intended to lay the foundation for Jordan’s experience in international football. The Jordanian team has participated in numerous regional sporting events, but the World Cup in the United States—against teams with a rich football history such as Austria, Algeria, and Argentina—can be a source of inspiration and a meaningful contributor to the team’s accumulated global experience, for the coaching staff and for everyone involved in Jordanian sport.

The team performed admirably in its first global football experience, scoring in each of its three matches and proving itself a serious contender against its opponents. That is a source of pride for Jordan at all levels.

Undoubtedly, the lessons learned will be relevant across the board, but perhaps the priority should be developing a solid defensive strategy. Scoring against all three teams demonstrates the squad's considerable attacking potential, but the final results point to weaknesses in its defensive approach.

The experience gained from this global sporting event raises several issues that the national team and its management should consider as they plan for the future. A quick look at Jordan's conceded goals highlights a crucial point: most came from direct shots, corners, or shots from outside the 18. This means it is essential to thoroughly analyze match footage and address what some may view as a defensive weakness.

However, learning from this experience will not be enough unless it is translated into a comprehensive sports strategy—one in which the public and private sectors share responsibility. Jordan’s World Cup participation produced significant media attentionthat can translate into tourism revenue.

This comprehensive strategy should begin by strengthening school sports, bolstering the role of sports clubs, and improving the Jordanian football league. Together, these elements help develop sporting talent and build a football culture on which to sustain a sporting presence.

It is important not to underestimate the power of sports—especially football—to elevate a country’s standing. A quick look at the teams Jordan has played against shows that they are, in many respects, similar to Jordan in terms of population size, local economy, and other factors. Yet because of accumulated experience, they were able to advance to later stages.

Austria, for example, has a population of fewer than 10 million, yet its national team has repeatedly proven its quality—most recently by refusing to concede in the final moments ofextra time and scoring an equalizer that secured qualification for the Round of 32.

Algeria and Argentina each have populations about four times that of Jordan, and, economically, Jordan and Argentina fall within similar income classifications, in the upper-middle- to lower-middle-income brackets. They also share similar average monthly wages, despite Argentina’s GDP of $630 billion compared with Jordan’s $53 billion. Yet Jordan stands out for its lower cost of living and higher purchasing power.

As for oil-rich Algeria, its GDP is $269 billion compared with Jordan’s $53.4 billion. However, Algeria’s government debt is $129 billion, versus Jordan’s $48.1 billion.

Congratulations to the Jordanian national team on their honorable participation in their first World Cup and on scoring their fourth goal. This valuable experience should inspire and encourage Jordanian youth to excel and participate in sports more widely. The roles of both the government and the private sector remain crucial in developing a national sports strategy that turns this global football experience into future achievements—ones that will greatly benefit Jordan.