When Jordan step out to face world champions Argentina on 27 June, it will feel like their own World Cup final. That occasion — a historic encounter in Arlington, Texas — marks the destination of a journey stretching across decades of near misses, shifting strategies, and some eyebrow-raising managerial appointments.

Jordan are one of four nations making their debut at the 2026 World Cup. Football is a national obsession in the country, yet competitive success has long lagged behind the passion. Their tournament opens against Austria in San Francisco before a potential showdown with Lionel Messi and Argentina in the final group fixture.

A long road to the world stage

Jordan played their first international match in 1953 — a 3-1 defeat to Syria — but did not enter World Cup qualifying until they chased a place at the 1986 tournament. They registered their first qualifying win against Qatar but fell short overall.

The closest they came before this year was in 2014, when they navigated the Asian Football Confederation's sprawling qualification system — recording notable home wins against Japan and Australia — to reach an inter-confederation play-off against Uruguay. A Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani-powered Uruguay side ended those hopes with a 5-0 aggregate victory. Jordan had played 20 qualifying matches, all for nothing.