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AMMAN — With the 2026 World Cup behind them, the new FIFA rankings were issued as teams arrived home, with a time for assessment as international and local agendas start soon.
In its World Cup debut, Jordan played in a tough Group J losing 3-1 to Austria, 2-1 to Algeria and 3-1 to three-time holders Argentina. In the leadup to the World Cup, Jordan played two friendlies, losing 2-0 to Columbia and 4-1 to Switzerland. As post World Cup FIFA rankings were announced, Jordan dropped 10 spots to 73rd..
The Kingdom is now the 10th ranked Asian team and 9th among Arab sides, with the World’s top 10 led by newly crowned champions Spain followed by Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Morocco, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands and Mexico.
Morocco achieved a new highest rank at 6th, Norway which impressed fans was the biggest climber 12 spots to 19th, Egypt moved up five spots to 24th while Tunisia had the biggest drop of 12 spots to 57th.
Top 10 Asian teams areJapan 17, Iran 22, Australia 28,South Korea 32, Saudi Arabia 58, Qatar 59, Uzbekistan 60, Iraq 63, UAE 68, Jordan 73. Top 10 Arab teams are: Morocco 6,Egypt 24, Algeria 29, Tunisia 57, Saudi Arabia 58, Qatar 59, Iraq 63, UAE 68, Jordan 73 and Oman 79.
The latest edition of the World Cup brought a record eight Arab nations including 2022 semifinalists Morocco, Egypt, Algeria,Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Jordan. Teams advancing to the Round of 32 were Morocco, Algeria and Egypt. Morocco exited the quarters to France. Egypt failed to make it to the quarterfinals, losing a dramatic and controversial match in which it squandered their 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Argentina, while Algeria lost to Switzerland and failed to make it to the Round of 16.
Apart from match results, a remarkable Arab and Jordanian highlight was the impressive performance of Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh who was chosen for the Spain vs Argentina final. On the other hand, the heated discussion locally remains by game experts and fans alike of news of the Nashama squad parting ways with Moroccan head coach Jamal Sellami and compatriot Ezzaki Badou taking over.
The unexpected announcement came days after the team’s arrival back home and was posted by HRH Prince Ali, president of the Jordan Football Association (JFA) on his personal X account, thanking Sellami for his leadership that played “a pivotal role in securing the national team’s historic qualification to the World Cup”.
While it was not clear if Sellami had resigned or if JFA had terminated the coach’s contract which extended after the January 2027 Asian Cup, most concurred it was probably the latter although near everyone concurs Sellami, who took over in 2024 is credited with building a disciplined identity for the national team, finishing runner-up to Morocco at the 2025 Arab Cup and fulfilling a decades-long footballing dream of advancing to the World Cup.
The sudden departure left observers puzzled after the coach was recently granted Jordanian citizenship, and often discussed the future of Jordanian football with reactivation of football academies as part of building a solid base to serve the game for future generations. Sellami’s exit, echoed similar ones of compatriot Hussein Ammouta as well as the former Iraqi coach Adnan Hamad earlier.
Objective observers note the first World Cup qualification should serve as a competitive starting point rather than a winless streak, where some tactical mistakes, late substitutions, not enlisting the reserve goalies, the choice of some ageing players over others, the relative competitive experience and the absence of key players, especially Yazan Nue’imat, considered a leading striker in Asia, were the reasons for not advancing further and ultimately pushing a successful coach out.
The Nashama have had a steady upward climb in the past two years, nearly crowned 2023 Asian Cup champs for the first time, but settling for runner-up in their fifth participation.
