Jordan’s coach is anticipating facing Messi in the World Cup finals

The Jordanian national team is experiencing an unprecedented historical moment as it prepares to participate in its first participation in the 2026 World Cup, after a long journey that extended over nine previous attempts during which the national team searched for a ticket to the world stage, before Moroccan coach Jamal Salami succeeded in writing the most important chapter in the history of Jordanian football by leading the national team to the finals scheduled in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

This achievement was not the result of a passing moment, but rather was an extension of cumulative work that began since the remarkable brilliance of the 2023 Asian Cup, when the Jordanian national team reached the final for the first time in its history before losing the title to the Qatar national team. Although Salami was not at the head of the technical staff at the time, he completed the project begun by his compatriot Hussein Amouta, benefiting from the fighting spirit and confidence that the players gained during that stage.

As the start of the World Cup approaches, attention is turning to the difficult challenges awaiting the Jordanian team, after the draw placed it in a strong group that includes the defending champion, Argentina, along with the teams of Austria and Algeria. Despite the strength of the competitors, Salami confirms that his team is capable of presenting an honorable image that reflects the character of Jordanian football and the spirit of the national team.

Speaking to the official FIFA website, Salami revealed the feelings he experienced after the historic qualification was won, explaining that he moved away from the celebration atmosphere a little to contemplate the scene from afar, considering that his true happiness came from his ability to give the Jordanian people a long-awaited moment of pride.

The Moroccan coach, who previously participated as a player in the 1998 World Cup with the Moroccan national team, stressed that teamwork was the basis of success, explaining that from the first day he stressed the necessity of believing in the goal and not wasting time, which was reflected in the team’s character and fighting spirit during the qualifiers.

Salami puts the issue of physical readiness at the top of his priorities during the current period, especially in light of the repeated injuries that have affected some of the basic elements, stressing that the current preparatory stage gives the technical staff an opportunity to expand the base of choices and prepare the largest possible number of players before traveling to the World Cup.

He also pointed out that the team played various matches against different football schools to gain the necessary experience, in preparation for facing teams with different playing philosophies such as Austria, Algeria and Argentina, with a focus on reaching the best possible preparation for the opening match.

Salami also spoke about the possibility of facing Lionel Messi, expressing his hope that the Argentine national team captain will participate in the tournament, considering that playing against one of the greatest players in the history of football represents an exceptional experience for Jordanian players, especially since the team will face the world champion who is also led by a World Cup-winning coach.

Despite the difficulty of the task, the Jordanian team adheres to its ambition to leave a distinctive mark during its first participation, as Salami believes that simply being in the World Cup represents an opportunity to show the culture, identity and ambitions of the Jordanian people to the world.

The Moroccan coach believes that the team’s spirit, based on courage, unity and determination, was the most prominent factor behind achieving this achievement, stressing that these values, in addition to the support of the fans and the sports leadership in Jordan, will remain the most important weapon for the team in its World Cup journey, hoping that this participation will be the beginning of a brighter future for Jordanian football.