Jordan is making World Cup history in 2026: This is the first time the country has qualified. Head coach Jamal Sellami, a Moroccan, led the team through the AFC qualifiers. Group J, which includes defending champion Argentina and Austria, is a huge challenge—but Jordan is eager for every moment.

Jordan is competing in the World Cup for the very first time. What the Nashama have built in recent years is remarkable: in 2023, they reached the final of the AFC Asian Cup, where they lost to Qatar, but qualified for this tournament by finishing second in their third-round group behind South Korea. Awaiting them in Group G are Portugal, Colombia, and the DR Congo. Coach Ayman Hakeem named three goalkeepers, all of whom have spent their entire careers in the Jordanian Pro League and the Arab region: Yazeed Abulaila, Abdallah Al-Fakhouri, and Nour Bani Attiah.

Abulaila is 33 years old, was born in Zarqa, and has been the starting goalkeeper for the Jordanian national team since 2017. His entire career has been spent in the Arab region: Shabab Al-Ordon, seven years with Al-Faisaly, winning two league titles and one cup, two loan spells in Saudi Arabia with Al-Jabalain, and since July 2024 with Al-Hussein, with whom he immediately won the 2024–25 league title. With over 60 international caps, he is by far the most experienced goalkeeper on the squad and ranks second among the most-capped goalkeepers in Jordanian history.

What has defined Abulaila in recent years is the team’s journey. He was in goal when Jordan sensationally reached the AFC Asian Cup final in 2023 and was part of the qualifying campaign that took his country to the World Cup for the first time in history. In World Cup qualifying, he stood between the posts in all the decisive matches and recorded six shutouts. His game is based on experience, anticipation, and composure under pressure, not on flashy plays. That is exactly what a team needs when stepping onto this stage for the first time.

Al-Fakhouri is 26 years old, was born in Russeifa, and came up through the ranks at Al-Wehdat, the most prestigious club in Jordanian soccer. He came up through the entire youth system there, made his debut with the professional team at age 18, and—except for a brief loan to Al-Ain in Saudi Arabia—has spent his entire career at Al-Wehdat, with whom he has won five titles. He once tried out for Belgian clubs and has been considered the country’s most promising young goalkeeper for years. With just one senior international appearance, he has little international experience, but his club achievements make him the logical second choice behind Abulaila. At the World Cup, he is the goalkeeper who represents the future of Jordan’s goalkeeping position.

Bani Attiah is 33 years old and has spent his entire career in Jordan. Having come up through the ranks at Al-Faisaly, he also played for Al-Jazeera before returning to Al-Faisaly in 2021, where he has been the starting goalkeeper ever since. His international journey has been long and patient: youth appearances for Jordan starting in 2011, followed by years-long hiatuses from the national team before returning to the senior squad in 2024. As the third-string goalkeeper, he brings the club experience and calm presence in the background that a historic tournament debut like this one requires.