King Abdullah II leads tributes as Jordan celebrate historic World Cup qualification
Ali Olwan nets hat-trick in 3-0 win over Oman to seal place at 2026 tournament in US, Canada and Mexico
Jordan's King Abdullah II led the tributes as his nation celebrated reaching the Fifa World Cup for the first time in their history.
Ali Olwan was the hero for the Jordanians as he netted a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Oman in Muscat on Thursday night.
The jubilant away supporters were joined by Crown Prince Hussein, who was seen celebrating in the stands.
The win put the 2023 Asian Cup runners-up into a commanding position to secure a top-two finish in AFC qualifying Group B behind leaders South Korea, and their progress was confirmed a few hours later when the Koreans beat Iraq 2-0 in Basra.
Jordan's King Abdullah II congratulated the team on social media.
'This historic qualification is well-deserved by our team, which includes stars and cadres of whom we are proud,' he wrote on X.
'Special thanks go to our loyal fans who have been our support and encouragement.'
Jordan's qualification for the expanded 48-team tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico extends a rewarding period for the national team after their run to the Asian Cup final in 2023.
In that competition they eliminated South Korea in the last four before eventually losing to hosts Qatar in the final.
The South Koreans cemented top spot in AFC Group B and consigned Iraq to another round of qualifying with a routine victory at the Basra International Stadium.
The Iraqi cause was not helped by a first-half red card for Ipswich striker Ali Al Hamadi and goals after the break from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu confirmed their defeat.
The Iraqis will drop into the fourth round of qualifying where they will be joined by either Palestine or Oman who meet next week in a winner-takes-all clash.
Palestine kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Kuwait on Thursday thanks to goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali.
The six teams who finish third and fourth across the three AFC groups will enter a fresh phase of qualifying featuring two groups of three with the winners of each section sealing a place at the finals.
Four of the six teams – UAE, Qatar, Indonesia and Iraq – are already known, with most likely Saudi Arabia and one of Palestine and Oman to complete the line up.
Saudi Arabia alive but face steep task
Saudi Arabia and Australia will go head-to-head next Tuesday for the second automatic spot in Group C.
Australia remain in pole position following their last-gasp win against group leaders Japan in Perth.
Defender Aziz Behich was the home hero in front of more than 57,000 fans, rifling into the corner in the 90th minute to give Tony Popovic's side a crucial 1-0 victory.
'We know there's room to grow and room to improve, but we've done something special tonight,' said Popovic, who saw his team outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side.
Saudi Arabia ensured the race for second place will go down to the wire courtesy of a 2-0 win against Bahrain in Riffa. Goals in either half from Musab Al Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al Obud saw Herve Renard's men stay three points behind second-placed Australia.
However, the Saudis will have to win in Jeddah by five goals to leapfrog the Socceroos.
Popovic, who replaced Graham Arnold in the dugout in September, added: 'We've all played a part in getting us to this point. We want to go to Saudi Arabia and really finish the job off.'
Also in Group C, Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia kept alive their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since the country's independence in 1945 with a 1-0 win over China.
That leaves Indonesia fourth in the group, one point behind Saudi. Ole Romeny scored the only goal, his controversial penalty just before half time following a VAR check leaving China rooted to the bottom of the group and thus ending their hopes of making a second World Cup.
In Group A, Iran and Uzbekistan confirmed qualification while the UAE and Qatar will move into the next round of qualifying.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
18 minutes ago
- Middle East Eye
Jordan urged to cancel Israel gas deal after supply halted amid Iran war
The suspension of Israeli gas supplies to Jordan, triggered by recent attacks on Iran, has reignited calls in Amman to cancel the gas agreement with Israel. The production halt - resulting from disruptions at the Leviathan gas field - is being cited by the Jordanian National Campaign to Overturn the Gas Agreement with the Zionist Entity, known by its slogan "The Enemy's Gas is Occupation", as grounds to terminate the deal. The campaign, a coalition of public figures, political parties and professional associations opposed to normalisation with Israel, views the current situation as a legal and political opportunity to annul the agreement under the force majeure clause. This clause permits cancellation without financial penalties if unforeseen events prevent the fulfilment of contractual obligations. Under the terms of the Israel-Jordan gas deal, force majeure refers to circumstances beyond the control of either party - such as natural disasters, armed conflict or political unrest - that render the implementation of the agreement unfeasible, they say. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "What is happening now clearly constitutes a case of the other party failing to meet its contractual obligations," the campaign told Middle East Eye. "This opens the door to cancelling the agreement without legal or financial consequences. In fact, doing so is a duty dictated by national sovereignty and the safety of our citizens." The group called on the Jordanian government to act swiftly and begin developing sovereign domestic energy resources instead of relying on Israeli gas. 'Triple crime' The gas agreement, signed in 2016 and implemented in 2019, stipulates the import of natural gas extracted from the Leviathan field, located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Haifa. Valued at approximately $10bn over 15 years, the deal entails Jordan receiving around 300 million cubic metres of gas per year, in return for long-term payments made to Israel. Critics argue that importing gas from Israel is unacceptable for several reasons, foremost among them opposition to normalisation with the Israeli state. According to the campaign, making Jordan dependent on Israeli gas constitutes a "triple crime". 'Black day': Hundreds rally in Jordan over 'treasonous' gas deal with Israel Read More » First, they argue, the deal exposes national sovereignty to political blackmail. Second, it channels $10bn of public money into the Israeli economy. Third, it deprives Jordan of the opportunity to invest those funds in sustainable, home-grown energy alternatives. Saleh Al-Armouti, Jordanian MP and head of the Islamic Action Front parliamentary bloc, echoed these concerns. He told MEE that the interruption of gas supplies provides Jordan with solid legal grounds to cancel the agreement or pursue compensation worth billions of dollars. "It is the legal right of the Jordanian state to file a lawsuit demanding compensation for the damages caused by the supply cut-off, based on the terms of the agreement," Al-Armouti said. He added that Jordan has viable alternatives to Israeli gas. "We already have infrastructure like the floating terminal in Aqaba, which costs millions annually without being fully utilised, as well as domestic sources such as the Risha gas field and the Attarat oil shale project," he added. Emergency plan In response to the cut-off in supply, Jordanian authorities have activated an emergency plan, which includes the temporary suspension of gas supplies to certain factories connected to the national grid. Jordan's national electricity company sought to reassure the public, stating that the country's fuel reserves for power generation are sufficient to last at least 20 days, even with the halt in gas supply from Leviathan. Government spokesperson and Minister of Government Communication, Mohammad Al-Momani, said authorities responded by switching to heavy fuel oil as an alternative, "as part of the emergency strategy developed by the Ministry of Energy". 'There are no strategic, long-term solutions in place' - Musa Al-Saket, economic expert Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, echoed these remarks, saying that despite the regional escalation, "the electrical system in Jordan remains stable and secure". Speaking on Thursday, Al-Kharabsheh announced that the government had activated alternative supply routes, including the import of 100 million cubic feet of gas per day from Egypt, to compensate for the shortfall. He added that Jordan is incurring additional costs to bolster its stockpile of petroleum derivatives, but emphasised that power stations are fully capable of switching to alternative fuels without compromising grid efficiency. On Friday, an Israeli energy ministry spokesperson said limited gas exports to Egypt and Jordan had resumed, using "surplus" supplies not required for domestic consumption. However, large-scale shipments remain unlikely in the near future. Lack of long-term solution Economic expert and member of the Amman Chamber of Industry, the engineer Musa Al-Saket, warned of the consequences of a continued suspension in natural gas imports, cautioning that a prolonged disruption could severely affect Jordan's industrial sector - particularly by increasing production costs. "The government and the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) have outlined short-term alternatives lasting 20 to 30 days, but there are no strategic, long-term solutions in place," Al-Saket told MEE. "Most industries lack independent emergency plans, as they depend heavily on public-private partnerships within the energy sector." Al-Saket called for broader approval for the installation of renewable energy systems and urged increased investment in domestic energy sources, including the Risha gas field, oil shale projects and solar energy. According to data from the Ministry of Energy, Jordan in 2023 relied on imported natural gas for approximately 61.1 percent of its electricity generation, compared to 26.28 percent from renewable sources (solar and wind) and 12.62 percent from heavy fuel oil. The country's power stations consume around 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day, while installed renewable capacity stands at roughly 2,681 megawatts - meaning any sustained disruption in gas supply could pose a threat to the stability of the power grid. Jordan is contending with mounting economic challenges amid ongoing regional instability, driven by Israel's wars on Gaza, Lebanon and now Iran. The repercussions extend far beyond energy. Tourism - a cornerstone of the Jordanian economy - has been severely impacted, with rising tensions deterring international visitors. Jordan's geographical location - lying along the flight paths of Iranian missiles and Israeli fighter jets - has heightened its exposure to regional security threats and prompted costly defensive measures to safeguard its airspace and sovereignty.
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
How Wydad can overcome Juventus challenge at Club World Cup
When Wydad Casablanca face Juventus in Philadelphia on Sunday, it will be more than just a meeting between Africa and Europe. It is set to be a collision of two clubs bound by eerily similar trajectories – giants in their domestic leagues defined historically by their pragmatism, defensive grit and institutional control. While Juventus swept aside Al Ain in their opening match, Wydad fell 2–0 to Manchester City but delivered a valiant display, consistently posing a threat throughout the game. With two teams boasting a similar style of play, how will this game fare? The tactical challenge Wydad and Juventus are, in essence, reflections of each other. Both tried to modernise last season – Wydad with Rhulani Mokwena, Juventus with Thiago Motta – aiming for a more expansive style. But when results faltered, both returned to what they knew best: stability over spectacle. Mohamed Amine Benhachem and Igor Tudor, trusted former players, were brought in to steady the teams and restore core values. Another striking similarity between the two sides was their tendency to draw too many games last season. While they avoided defeat, it often felt as though they had forgotten how to win. Wydad went unbeaten in their final 14 league matches, and although they suffered a first loss to Manchester City in this competition, they produced several chances that kept them in the game. Their tactical similarities should set up an interesting battle. While Wydad display a genuine threat on the counter, Juve thrill in the transitions. Both sides roar when allowed to display their vertical dynamism. The clash between the two sides might ultimately be settled by the efficiency of their strikers. Had Wydad proved more ruthless with their finishing against City, they may have walked away with something more. Benhachem admitted they had prepared to spring a few surprises in their opening match and they didn't disappoint, showcasing a bold and fearless style of play. Despite conceding early, they remained resilient and stuck to their game plan, buoyed by the thunderous support of their many fans. Tudor acknowledged that his side 'need to concede less on counter-attacks'. Wydad would do well to recognise that their strengths align with Juventus' vulnerabilities. The Italians showed flaws in their defensive positioning, and with greater discipline, Benhachem's men have a real chance to exploit it. Thembinkosi Lorch was Wydad's most dangerous threat, registering three attempts on goal. With a touch more precision, he could trouble a Juventus defence still missing its standout figure, Gleison Bremer. As for Nordin Amrabat, he was one of the best players on the pitch against City, displaying his talent in both phases of the game. Despite his efforts to carry the team forward, he was largely contained by City's cohesive midfield unit. He will need better support to orchestrate the patterns of play that can unravel Juventus in the middle of the park. Wydad's defending The Moroccan side succeeded in limiting City's firepower, but if they hope for a better outcome against Juventus, they will need to tighten up defensively. At times, their aggressive forward play left openings at the back that City were quick to exploit. Lapses in concentration coupled with mistakes on set pieces complicated matters. Under Tudor, the Bianconeri consistently win a high number of corners, indicating territorial dominance and sustained attacking intent. Randal Kolo Muani can won most of his aerial duels while Francisco Conceicao's dancing feet and Kenan Yildiz thunderous shots can rip apart some of the best defences. Wydad's backline must always maintain focus. Abdelmounaim Boutouil cannot display the same recklessness that was punished by Jeremy Doku while El Mehdi Benabid will be required to put in another strong performance between the posts. Juventus arrive full of confidence Juventus were eager to return to winning ways after a season that began with promise but ended in bitter disappointment. Tudor was determined for his side to turn the page. By fielding a strong starting XI, the Italians signalled their intent to take the tournament seriously. The team had visited US President Donald Trump before their opening match, with American player Timothy Weah admitting it was all 'a bit strange'. 'When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it's kind of like, I just want to play football man,' added the son of George Weah, former President of Liberia. And football they played. It was Al Ain who produced the first chance but once Kolo Muani scored in the 11th minute, there was no looking back. While Juventus' attack deservedly took the spotlight, it was Alberto Costa who stole the show with a standout performance at right wing-back. Commanding the right flank, he notched two assists and delivered the kind of display that gives Tudor's side a sharp vertical edge. Pacey, assertive, and full of confidence, he's a threat Wydad will need to keep close tabs on.
The National
9 hours ago
- The National
Worst is behind us, says Man United CEO, as club looks to the future
It's one month since Manchester United lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Europa League in Bilbao. United had 65% possession, a passing accuracy of 86% to Spurs 66%. United completed 461 passes to Spurs 126 and had 15 attempts to Spurs' three. But Ange Postecoglou's side did what mattered: scored a goal. Tottenham excelled in penalty box defending to win their first trophy since 2008, yet Postecoglou is out of a job and his opposite Ruben Amorim currently fully backed by his bosses at Old Trafford. Bilbao was the perfect trip before the game, a fine, friendly, affordable – except for hotels around the final – city. The 50,000 rival fans mixed like oil and water, but trouble was rare. The main problems happened after the game, with stranded fans unable to get out of Bilbao to their accommodation further away. One desperate supporter broke into a building site and slept in the portable toilet he'd spotted. Bilbao's airport was closed and fans slept outside, the city's bus station at 4am was not a pretty sight. Fans attempted to sleep on the floor, which is where the mood was around the club in the days after the game. Players looked disconsolate in post-match interviews, shell-shocked and dazed. They should be put into context of the real world news where civilians are shell-shocked and dazed across several countries for more genuine reasons than losing a football match. But for Manchester United fans, it was the worst possible end to a terrible season. A 15th-place finish in the Premier League, the lowest since the club were relegated in 1974, wouldn't have felt so bad had the team won and qualified for next season's Uefa Champions League football. Two weeks later, I went to see the club's Paris-born Moroccan CEO Omar Berrada at Old Trafford. He's only been in the job for 11 'whirlwind' months and talked matter of factly about the reality of United's current situation, and what defeat in Bilbao meant. 'A setback because we lost the financial upside of being in the Champions League,' he said. 'So that's clear, anywhere between £80-90 million. It's not necessarily direct profit, but just pure revenues, that's roughly the number. But at the same time, we had planned for all the scenarios. "And what we want to be is a club that can be financially sustainable outside of Europe, so that when we are in Europe, whether it's the Europa League or the Champions League, which is where we should be really, the Champions League, every year, then the financial upside can be invested in the squad. That's where we want to be. It's as simple as that. 'We had been prepared for not being in Europe next season and we're going to operate in the transfer window, we're going to be competitive and we're going to build a squad that is going to aspire to get back into Europe next season.' Positive words, following a season of negative headlines around United on and off the pitch. Fans want to believe that he'll be right when he also said: "We've taken all the short-term pain in this season, but as of this summer, the worst bit is going to be behind us. 'We will have settled the management team; we will have settled the coaching team with the technical team around them. And on the football side, there's a clear idea of what we want to do, what players we want to get, how we want to see the team playing, how we're going to integrate academy players, how we're going to go and invest in future talent. 'I sit here today and I'm actually very optimistic and quite positive about what's ahead. Of course we need to get a lot of decisions right. And we will make mistakes, there's no doubt. We'll try to minimize those. But what we want is to build something that's sustainable for the long, long term, right?' The extra money would have helped: United, one of the three biggest football clubs In the world, lost over £300 million between 2019 and 2024. There are several negatives to no European football for United, from revenues to a lack of games next season, but the coach, Ruben Amorim, can at least focus on the Premier League and train properly for games. The fixture list came out on Wednesday, and United have a tough start with matches against Arsenal, Fulham, Burnley, Manchester City and Chelsea in the opening five fixtures. Amorim simply cannot preside over a side whose form was at relegation level since he took the job last November. There will be more changes. The signing of Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha, 25, from Wolves has been welcomed. That was concluded quickly during the first transfer window (June 1-10) with United meeting his £62.5 million valuation. Berrada feels there are similarities with the outlandishly talented French forward Eric Cantonat, who was so crucial to United 30 years ago. 'He was an important one to get done,' Berrada said of Cunha. 'We're going to do our best to do more signings quickly. Sometimes when you're not quick it's because you're negotiating and you're trying to make sure you get the right value for money. So being efficient or quick isn't necessarily the best thing for the club. We also must do some player exits, that's important, so we're going to have to balance the books. But we've put ourselves in the best position possible by doing everything that we've had this year around cost cutting. Everything else that we talked about and raising ticket prices. I'm confident that we will come out of the window with a much stronger team than what we've gone into.' United need more goals and Cunha's 15 Premier League goals for Wolves last season was almost twice what United's top two scorers, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo, managed. Fernandes, 30, could have joined Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, with the club reportedly prepared to pay him £700,000 per week and United a £100 million transfer fee. Easily the club's best player and captain, Fernandes decided to stay at Old Trafford. There was the small matter of United being unwilling to sell him unless he wanted to leave, which he didn't, though he gave the offer serious consideration. Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo wants to come to Old Trafford. The Cameroon international scored 20 Premier League goals last season and has excelled against United. But, like most transfers of coveted players, it's not straightforward. Brentford are trying to attract as much interest in the player as possible in order to raise the price. Should Mbuemo arrive, further incomings are likely to be dependent on player sales. United have proven Premier League forwards including Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho who they're willing to let go for the right price. Another forward, Antony, thrived on loan at Real Betis after signing on loan in January. United's problem isn't that there's no interest in these players, it's that they're all on vast contracts which many other clubs will struggle to match. Compromises will be needed. The departures won't be limited to first-team players. Nick Cox, the hugely respected head of United's academy, will leave for Everton and a senior role with David Moyes' side. Other staff members are receiving offers to go, too. Hundreds of United staffers lost their jobs in two waves of redundancies, others decided to leave of their own accord and rival clubs know it. 'The sharks are circling,' one staff member, who has had multiple job offers told us. 'People getting offers to leave non-stop. I just want to stay. I love this club.' The staff who do stay will work in a fully redeveloped and state-of-the-art Carrington training ground, which will contain more staff from Old Trafford as the club try to foster a feeling of togetherness. United fans have backed coach Amorim, singing his name at every game, even during the worst run of results. 'Ruben Amorim,' sing the hardcore week after week. 'He'll bring the glory days again. We'll back him from the Stretford End; he'll turn the Reds around.' It's to the tune of Bonnie Tyler's It's a Heartache (it certainly was last season). Amorim is young, articulate, and confident, but he needs wins. He wants and needs more players, but it's not just about new signings, who have a patchy rate of succeeding at Old Trafford. Existing players should be more comfortable in his system, young players like defender Leny Yoro or Amad should continue to improve. Another young player, forward Rasmus Hojlund, 22, might have made far more runs in behind defenders than any other player in the 36-team Europa League last season, but he'll primarily be judged on goals scored. There haven't been enough. Books also need to be balanced to fit in with financial rules, though United's last set of financial figures showed that a corner had been turned. The club remain huge nationally and internationally. Over 72,000 watched a post season friendly in Malaysia and more huge crowds will watch the team pre-season next month in the United States, crowds far greater than many watching games at Fifa's Club World Cup. United had the highest average home crowds in the Premier League for the 32nd consecutive year, and were the most watched team in the Premier League on television, despite losing 18 times. United must improve and Berrada, 47, maintains that his aim is to see United's men and women's teams winning their respective league titles by 2028 – the club's 150th anniversary. He's a smart operator who speaks five languages and excelled at Barcelona and Manchester City before United offered him the top job in January 2024. 'It's a way of setting a time-bound period where we're going to focus our efforts to achieve certain goals: winning the Premier League, having the women's team win the first WSL, becoming one of the most commercially innovative clubs in the world, as we have been in the past, being cash positive,' he said. Observers may be circumspect, but after the way the United have floundered, it's better to have aims and objectives so that fans are not feeling as they did after the defeat in Bilbao a month ago.
