Sports

DÜSSELDORF, Germany — Jan Vertonghen’s late own goal took France into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on Monday as it edged Belgium 1-0 in a tense tie in Duesseldorf.

France had dominated the last-16 clash but its profligate finishing looked set to force extra time until they finally found a way through with five minutes left.

Substitute Randal Kolo Muani collected the ball inside the Belgian penalty area and hit a shot that was going wide until a deflection off the unfortunate Vertonghen took it past goalkeeper Koen Casteels.

The lucky break sent the 2022 World Cup runners-up into a last-eight tie in Hamburg on Friday as they remain on course to become European champions for the third time.

France is yet to score from open play in four matches at the tournament — captain Kylian Mbappe netted once from a penalty against Poland, while their other two goals came from opposition defenders.

Crucially, however, they are rock solid in defence, having conceded only one goal, from a penalty, so far.

Their back line was outstanding against Romelu Lukaku and his fellow attackers, and Belgium bows out after what will go down as a disappointing tournament for them.

Both of these sides were looking for revenge, in Belgium’s case for a 1-0 defeat against France in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, a result that still hurts six years on.

France, meanwhile, had a point to prove at the Euros after going out in the last 16 three years ago on penalties to Switzerland, a deeply disappointing result in between runs to consecutive World Cup finals.

The French were widely seen as the favourites to win this tournament before arriving in Germany, but they were below par during the group phase.

The broken nose suffered by Mbappe in their opening game against Austria did not help, and the uncertain form of Antoine Griezmann has been a problem too.

Griezmann was dropped for the last group match against Poland but returned here in one of two changes, with Marcus Thuram also coming in as wingers Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola made way.

Forwards struggle to impress

Meanwhile Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco’s reaction to his own side’s unconvincing displays in the group stage was striking.

Yannick Carrasco and Lois Openda were given starts to provide as much attacking threat as possible in support of Lukaku, while skipper Kevin De Bruyne played a more withdrawn role.

The hope, for the neutrals at least, was that so much attacking talent would lead to an open game full of goals, but the reality was rather different.

Belgium was happy to sit back and thwart France, and did not test opposition goalkeeper Mike Maignan at all in the first half.

France had lots of the ball, yet often looked untidy, imprecise and rather flat, with Griezmann appearing lost on the right-wing.

But they had chances in the first half, with Thuram heading just wide from Jules Kounde’s inviting cross just after the half-hour mark and Aurelien Tchouameni twice firing off-target.

Real Madrid midfielder Tchouameni then tested Casteels with a deflected long-range strike as France upped its game at the beginning of the second half.

Mbappe accelerated inside and smashed a shot just over, and there was a sense a goal might be coming.

The breakthrough almost came for Belgium an hour in as William Saliba lost possession on halfway and De Bruyne released Carrasco, who was about to pull the trigger when Theo Hernandez arrived to make a brilliant saving block.

Maignan finally had to make a save 20 minutes from the end of normal time, to keep out a drive from Lukaku, and was called into action again to deny De Bruyne.

It was becoming clear that one goal would decide the contest, and France got it in the 85th minute as N’Golo Kante fed Kolo Muani, and his shot went in off Vertonghen to take Les Bleus through.

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — England escaped an embarrassing last 16 exit at Euro 2024 thanks to Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick before Harry Kane struck in extra-time for a 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday.

The Three Lions have been hyped as one of the favourites to end a 58-year wait for major tournament glory but looked set to go out with a whimper to Ivan Schranz’s 25th minute goal.

However, Bellingham’s moment of inspiration five minutes into six added on in stoppage time breathed new life into Gareth Southgate’s reign as England boss.

Kane then headed in just a minute into extra-time to set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland on Saturday.

Southgate looked certain to fall on his sword after steadfastly refusing to make changes to a side that stumbled through as winners of Group C despite scoring just two goals in three games.

Kobbie Mainoo was introduced for his first competitive start in Southgate’s only change and he paid the price with another lacklustre display lacking in any speed or invention for long spells.

The one saving grace of England’s performances in the group stage was that a makeshift defence had held up well, conceding just once in three games.

However, they were torn to pieces early on by a Slovakia side ranked 45th in the world.

England did not heed a couple of warnings as David Hancko and Lukas Haraslin were wasteful with big chances.

Slovakia finally punished their more illustrious opponents when David Strelec was given acres of room to turn and play in Schranz, who confidently stroked past Jordan Pickford for his third goal of the tournament.

Despite his lack of experience, Mainoo was one of the few players that threatened to spark England into life as the Manchester United midfielder’s effort was deflected wide.

The half-time whistle was met with a chorus of boos but Southgate still stuck to his guns and did not make a change until 25 minutes to go.

England did at least improve on a dismal first half and had the ball in the net within five minutes of the restart.

Phil Foden turned in Kieran Trippier’s cross but was caught offside after a VAR review.

Kane gets winner 

Slovakia should have doubled their lead shortly afterwards when England gave away possession and Strelec saw Pickford well off his line but failed to hit the target from the halfway line.

Southgate’s hand was finally forced on 66 minutes by an injury to Trippier.

One of the major calls the England boss will come to regret is only naming one natural left-back in his 26-man squad in Luke Shaw, who has not played a minute for club or country since February.

With Shaw not match-fit, Bukayo Saka was forced to deputise at left-back to make room for the introduction of Cole Palmer.

England’s chances seemed to have gone when Kane headed wide a golden opportunity and Declan Rice smashed the post with a long-range pot shot.

Southgate was even derided by the England support for bringing on Ivan Toney deep into stoppage time with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing”.

BERLIN — Switzerland dumped reigning champions Italy out of Euro 2024 with a stunning 2-0 victory on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in their history.

Murat Yakin’s supremely well-drilled side outplayed the flat two-time winners in the last 16 clash in Berlin and will face England or Slovakia in the next round.

Ruben Vargas teed up Remo Freuler for Switzerland’s 37th minute opener before curling home superbly himself right at the start of the second half to deservedly double their lead.

A new-look Italy, short on star power and without many of the key figures that led them to Euro 2020 glory, offered little in response to Switzerland’s energetic display.

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, arriving at the Euros after a stunning season with German champions Bayer Leverkusen, pulled the strings as the Swiss rarely looked like letting the lead slip away.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti dropped Jorginho after his worrying group stage performances, bringing in Nicolo Fagioli in defensive midfield among a hefty six changes which failed to bring the Azzurri to life.

The 23-year-old started a major tournament match for the first time, having missed most of the season with Juventus after a seven-month ban for gambling on football matches.

Italy scraped through the first phase thanks to Mattia Zaccagni’s last-gasp strike in the 1-1 draw with Croatia and Spalletti said his team had no alternative but to improve in the knock-out rounds.

However, it was Switzerland which grew in confidence and pulled off their best display yet, making a bright start at the Olympiastadion in a sweltering Berlin, where a far more impressive Italy won the 2006 World Cup.

Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, now Italy’s delegation head, has been regaling the squad with stories from that triumph but it did not inspire a convincing performance — apart from by his modern day counterpart, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, key in Italy’s Euro 2020 conquest, made a fine save to thwart Breel Embolo midway through the first half as Switzerland created the first real chance by playing him through.

Freuler opener

Donnarumma could not stop Freuler from firing Switzerland ahead after 37 minutes when the midfielder controlled Vargas’ low cross and drilled home at the near post.

Switzerland kept the ball for well over a minute in the build-up, stringing together 33 passes before Freuler, who plays for Serie A side Bologna, applied the finishing touch.

Donnarumma produced a fine save to tip Fabian Rieder’s free-kick on to the post before the break as the Swiss sought to equal their best ever Euros performance by reaching the last eight.

Host Germany needed a late leveller to avoid defeat against the Swiss in the group phase, while at the previous Euros they knocked out much fancied France in the last 16, so Italy cannot say it was not warned.

Spalletti hooked Stephan El Shaarawy at half-time for Zaccagni, but Italy gave the ball away from the kick-off and Switzerland doubled their lead just 27 seconds into the second period.

Augsburg midfielder Vargas, who started in place of the suspended Silvan Widmer but on the left of the attack, broke into the area and arced a superb curling shot over Donnarumma.

The closest Italy came to scoring in the first hour was when Swiss defender Fabian Schar misjudged a header and hit the frame of his own goal.

Substitute Mateo Retegui produced Italy’s first shot on target as the clock ticked down and the near-invisible Gianluca Scamacca hit the post from close range, but appeared to be offside.

The sides drew twice in World Cup 2022 qualification with the Azzurri failing to make the tournament but went one better in Germany, securing their first win against Italy since 1993, after 11 without victory.

AMMAN –  Hussein take on Wihdat Saturday evening in the final of the Jordan Cup - the last competition on the 2023/2024 football calendar.

Hussein eliminated Salt 3-1 (1-1) on penalties, while  titleholders Wihdat upstaged Shabab Urdun  1-0 in the semifinals  as both teams have their eyes on another title. Hussein had a memorable season, winning the Professional League  for the first time and now hope to do the same in the Jordan Cup. Wihdat, who finished third in the league, won the Jordan Super Cup for the 15th time as Faisali won their 9th Jordan Football Association Shield earlier in the season.

In the Jordan Cup quarterfinals, Salt ousted Sahab, Wihdat beat Ramtha, Shabab Urdun eliminated Ma’an and Hussein beat Aqaba. In Round of 16 matches, Sahab stunned Faisali, Wihdat eliminated Mughayer Sarhan, Shabab Urdun beat Sarih, Ramtha ousted Sama Al-Sarhan, Ma’an beat Ahli, Salt ousted Jazira, Aqaba beat Jalil and Hussein beat Yarmouk.

Since the Cup started in 1980, there have been 40 past editions with Faisali a record 21-time champions. Wihdat won 11 times, Jazira, Ramtha and Shabab Urdun twice, while Arabi, That Ras and Ahli won once each. 

Like neighbors Ramtha,who won the 2021 season title for the third time in their history after 39 years, this season Hussein, changed the usual Faisali-Wihdat dominance of the title becoming the 9th team to win the League since it kicked off in 1944 with only Faisali, Ahli, Urdun and Homenetmen clubs competing. Faisali are 35-time record league champs while Wihdat won 17 times since first joining in 1980. Ahli won eight times, Ramtha and Jazira three times, Shabab Urdun twice, Hussein, Amman and Urdun clubs once.

Jordan Cup champions record 

(Runner- up in parenthesis)

• 1980Faisali (Baqa'a)
• 1981Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1982Wihdat (Ahli)
• 1983Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1984Jazira (Ahli)
• 1985Wihdat (Faisali)
• 1986Arabi (Jazira)
• 1987Faisali (Hussein)
• 1988Wihdat (Faisali)
• 1989Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1990Ramtha (Hussein)
• 1991Ramtha (Wihdat)
• 1992Faisali  (Wihdat)
• 1993Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1994Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1995Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1996Wihdat (Ramtha)
• 1997Wihdat (Ramtha)
• 1998Faisali (Wihdat)
• 1999Faisali (Wihdat)
• 2000Wihdat (Faisali)
• 2001Faisali (Hussein)
• 2002Faisali (Hussein)
• 2003 Faisali (Hussein)
• 2004 Faisali (Sh. Hussein)
• 2005 Shabab Urdun (Faisali)
• 2006 Shabab Urdun (Faisali)
• 2007Faisali (Shabab Urdun)
• 2008 Wihdat (Shabab Urdun)
• 2009Wihdat (Arabi)
• 2010Wihdat (Manshieh)
• 2011Faisali (Manshieh)
• 2012That Ras (Ramtha)
• 2013Wihdat (Baqa'a)
• 2014Faisali (That Ras)
• 2015Ahli (Shabab Urdun)
• 2016Faisali (Jazira)
• 2017Jazira (Shabab Urdun)
• 2018Faisali (Ramtha)
• 2019/20 not held
• 2021Faisali (Salt)
• 2022Wihdat (Aqaba)

STUTTGART, Germany — Belgium qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Wednesday after a 0-0 draw with Ukraine, which exited the tournament despite all four teams in Group E finishing level on four points.

Romania took top spot ahead of Belgium after scoring more goals in the group following their 1-1 draw with Slovakia, who also go through as one of the four best third-placed sides.

Belgium supporters reacted furiously at the final whistle in Stuttgart, with captain Kevin De Bruyne appearing to tell his teammates not to go over to acknowledge them as the whistles and jeers grew louder.

They will play France in the next round and have landed themselves on the tougher side of the draw which also features hosts Germany, Spain and Portugal.

Ukraine’s brave run came to an agonising end as it became the first team since the tournament increased to 24 teams not to progress with four points.

It had been the first time ever at the European Championship all four teams in the same group had gone into the final round of games locked on the same number of points.

Leandro Trossard replaced the suspended Dodi Lukebakio for Belgium, wearing their kit which pays to the comic book hero Tintin, with pale blue shirts, brown shirts and white socks.

Ukraine was without wingers Mykhailo Mudryk and Viktor Tsygankov because of injury, switching to three at the back with Oleksandr Zinchenko dropping out and Roman Yaremchuk starting after scoring the winner as a substitute against Slovakia.

Ukraine fans honour fallen comrades 

Ukrainian fans unveiled a banner displaying the portrait of a 21-year-old soldier who died in battle last month, an image generated by artificial intelligence using the photos of 182 football fans also killed in combat.

“Peace has a price. Thousands of football fans have been killed in the war since February 2022,” read an accompanying message, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that started two years ago.

Romelu Lukaku, who had three goals ruled out in his team’s first two games of the tournament, scuffed straight at Anatoliy Trubin when well placed after a slick through ball from De Bruyne.

Yaremchuk tested Koen Casteels and he might have given his team the lead if Artem Dovbyk had found him in the area after getting the better of Arthur Theate.

Twice De Bruyne was unhappy with a laser being pointed at his face as he took free-kicks, nearly catching Trubin out at the near post on one occasion.

He had another curling attempt held shortly after Yaremchuk fizzed a pass across the Belgium area while trying to pick out Dovbyk.

Lukaku saw a weak shot smothered by Trubin, who then beat away a much firmer strike from Yannick Carrasco as Belgium chased the goal that would have clinched first place in the group.

Ruslan Malinovskyi’s corner left Casteels frantically scooping the ball to safety at his near post as a nervy finish ensued, Ukraine desperately needing a goal that Belgium knew would spell disaster for them.

Johan Bakayoko curled wide for Belgium and Malinovskyi’s piledriver was blocked by Timothy Castagne, with Georgiy Sudakov unable to find a way past Casteels in stoppage time as Ukraine’s adventure came to an emotional conclusion.

BERLIN — Marcel Sabitzer lashed home to earn Austria a thrilling 3-2 win against The Netherlands on Tuesday and send his team through top of Euro 2024 Group D, ahead of tournament favourites France and the third-place Dutch.

All three nations are through to the last 16 but Ralf Rangnick’s intense Austria side showed why some consider them dark horses to win the tournament for the first time on a rollicking afternoon in Berlin.

Donyell Malen’s own goal sent Austria ahead but Cody Gakpo pulled the Dutch level early in the second half.

Romano Schmid headed home for Austria with Memphis Depay pegging them back once more, before Sabitzer settled the frantic, end-to-end tussle.

“We started weakly... we were too weak in the duels, I have no explanation for that at the moment,” The Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk told Dutch television.

“We talked about it at half-time, [playing like that] is not possible, we know that, it has to be much better.

“We are all responsible for this — there is not one or two guilty people... if we want to achieve anything in this tournament, something has to change.”

Rangnick made four changes for Austria from the side that effectively knocked out Poland, with defender Gernot Trauner, who scored in that victory, injured, while Christoph Baumgartner also netted and was left on the bench.

Meanwhile, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman selected Malen in attack as one of three changes from the goalless draw against France last week.

The Borussia Dortmund forward got off to an unfortunate start though when he slid in to deflect Alexander Prass’ cross into his own net, as he tried to stop it reaching the lurking Marko Arnautovic.

Austria’s campaign started with a 1-0 defeat to France after Max Wober put through his own net but the tournament’s seventh own goal made them far happier.

Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders had a fine chance to swiftly equalise, scuffing his shot badly wide after a neat exchange with Gakpo.

The Netherlands supporters have lit up the tournament with their vibrant orange glow but Austria fans outnumbered and outsung them in Berlin.

As Rangnick’s men fizzed the ball around their struggling Dutch counterparts, supporters gleefully cheered each successful pass.

Koeman seethed on the touchline and flung his arms down in frustration as Malen sent a bobbling shot beyond the far post when well placed.

The former Barcelona coach brought on Xavi Simons after only 34 minutes for midfielder Joey Veerman to add more spark and creativity to his team’s disjointed display.

However, it was Austria who carved out the next big chance, with Bart Verbruggen saving Sabitzer’s drive and Arnautovic unable to get his footwork right to turn home from close range moments later as his team kept the move alive.

The Netherlands came out for the second half fired up and pulled level as soon as the 47th minute when Simons fed Gakpo, who sent an assured curling finish beyond Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz.

Austria kept its heads and Schmid nodded them back in front after 59 minutes from Florian Grillitsch’s cross, with Stefan de Vrij unable to hack the ball clear on the line.

The goal sucked the life out of The Netherlands, who turned to their super sub against Poland and at the 2022 World Cup against Argentina, burly hitman Wout Weghorst, to put their plan B into action.

It worked almost immediately, with the striker nodding down for Depay to smash home and pull the game level.

Austria struck back yet again to move ahead for the third time when Dortmund’s Sabitzer superbly rifled home at the near post, after Van Dijk played him onside.

Substitute Baumgartner produced a fine finish for what would have been Austria’s fourth but was offside, and Weghorst headed over a final chance for the downcast Dutch.

“If you beat the Netherlands and win the group, then you can’t be that bad,” said former Bayern Munich midfielder Sabitzer, 30.

“When you win like that, win the group, score the winning goal, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

STUTTGART, Germany — Hungary winger Roland Sallai dedicated Sunday’s 1-0 win over Scotland at Euro 2024 to Barnabas Varga who was stretchered off and taken to hospital after a sickening collision which will rule him out of the rest of the tournament.

Varga collapsed to the pitch in Stuttgart and was struggling to move after chasing a long cross into the area as Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn came to collect the ball late in the second half.

After a long delay, medics took the 29-year-old player from the pitch while sheets were draped around the stretcher in scenes that were initially reminiscent of Christian Eriksen’s collapse after suffering cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland.

Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai appeared to be in tears as he consoled his stricken teammate.

“It was terrible. It was a terrible moment to see Barnabas like that,” said Sallai.

“Fortunately he is in a much better condition. He is probably going to have to go for a minor operation.

“We cross our fingers that he can return quickly. Naturally it was a terrible incident. Of course we were fighting for him in the remaining 15-20 minutes. We wanted to win for him and we dedicate the win to him.”

Coach Marco Rossi said Varga suffered what appeared to be a facial fracture.

“It was a confusing situation. What I heard from the players is that Barny at that moment looked like he was not conscious so everyone was really worried about his condition and also worried about the fact that the doctors arrived a bit late we can say,” said Rossi.

“But of course they probably didn’t realise it was a dangerous situation. Fortunately we can say now that Barny is not under any kind of risk.

“Probably he will be operated in the coming hours because he suffered a fracture here [pointing to his cheek/eye socket]. If we go through the competition of course he will not be part of the team anymore.”

Varga was immediately taken to hospital after the incident.

“The condition of Barnabas Varga is stable,” the Hungarian Football Federation [MLSZ] wrote on X.

“The Hungarian national team player is currently in one of the hospitals in Stuttgart. We will inform you immediately if there is any news on his status.”

German broadcaster Magenta TV reported that Varga was conscious and talking when he arrived at hospital in Stuttgart.

Kevin Csoboth grabbed the winning goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time in the Group A game to keep alive the team’s hopes of making the last 16.

LONDON — Andy Murray has not yet decided if he will play Wimbledon for the final time despite the ruling body of the men’s tour claiming he has withdrawn from the Grand Slam tournament where he is a two-time champion.

The ATP announced on its official “X” account that the 37-year-old former World No.1 had pulled out of Wimbledon after undergoing back surgery on Saturday.

“After an operation on a spinal cyst, Andy Murray is sadly out of Wimbledon. Rest up and recover Andy, we’ll miss seeing you there,” said the ATP.

However, that message was quickly deleted, leaving a question mark over the fitness of the 2013 and 2016 champion at the All England Club.

Britain’s Daily Telegraph also reported that Murray will be a Wimbledon no-show.

Wimbledon starts on July 1 while Murray also faces a race against time to be fit for next month’s Paris Olympics. The Scot is a two-time gold medallist in Olympics singles.

The draw for Wimbledon takes place on Friday, giving Murray little time to consider his options, but Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said the star had yet to make a decision.

“I’ve seen the reports and on social media and that’s not my understanding,” Smith told the BBC on Sunday.

“This has come from one source and had a knock-on effect, a lot of people are reporting it but that’s not my understanding.”

‘Hope for the best’ 

Smith added: “He [Murray] obviously went through a procedure yesterday [Saturday] and you have to wait and see now. My understanding is no decision has been made and let’s hope for the best for Andy.”

Murray managed just five games before a back injury forced him to withdraw from his second-round match against Australia’s Jordan Thompson at the Queen’s Club warm-up event in London on Wednesday.

The three-time Grand Slam title winner, who plays with a metal hip, struggled from the start of his match against Thompson and said afterwards he had a feeling of weakness in his right leg and had lost coordination.

“I never had that loss of coordination, control and strength in my leg before,” Murray said shortly after retiring from his match with Thompson.

“I’ve been struggling with my back for a while — I had lost the power in my right leg so lost all motor control, I had no coordination and couldn’t really move.”

Asked then about his prospects of playing at Wimbledon, he added: “Like all tennis players, we have degenerative joints and stuff in the back, but it’s all predominantly been left-sided for me my whole career.

“I have never had too many issues with the right side. So maybe there is something that can be done between now and then to help the right side.”

Murray underwent minor back surgery in 2013 and following a first-round loss at the recent French Open he said he would need treatment to address soreness.

The three-time Grand Slam champion only returned to competitive action in May after nearly two months out with an ankle injury.

He had been due to play singles and doubles with his brother Jamie at Wimbledon before potentially ending his career at the Olympics.

AMMAN —  Hussein plays Salt and titleholders Wihdat meets Shabab Urdun  Sunday evening in the semifinals of the Jordan Cup - the last competition on the 2023/2024 football calendar.

In the quarterfinals, Salt ousted Sahab and Wihdat beat Ramtha in matches played during the Eid Al-Adha holiday while Shabab Urdun had eliminated Ma’an and Hussein beat Aqaba earlier.

Round of 16 matches saw Sahab stun Faisali, Wihdat eliminated Mughayer Sarhan, Shabab Urdun beat Sarih, Ramtha ousted Sama Al-Sarhan, Ma’an beat Ahli, Salt ousted Jazira, Aqaba beat Jalil and Hussein beat Yarmouk.

Since the Cup started in 1980, there have been 40 past editions with Faisali a record 21-time champions. Wihdat won 11 times, Jazira, Ramtha and Shabab Urdun twice, while Arabi, That Ras and Ahli won once each. 

This season, Hussein Irbid took home the coveted Professional Football League title for the first time following an impressive run, which saw them lose only one match. Hussein had to wait to the last stage of the competition, to be able to move the trophy out of the capital to Irbid with only a two-point edge over Faisali. Wihdat came in third, followed by Ramtha, Salt, Ma’an, Aqaba, Shabab Urdun , Mughayer Sarhan and Ahli. Sahab and Jalil and were relegated.

Sarih and Jazira will be back to the Pro League next season  The latter, a three-time league champion, were relegated for the fourth time– 1977, 1992, 2003, 2022 after the club was a frontrunner in the past few years and played in the AFC West Asia Zone final in 2018 and 2019. 

Like neighbors Ramtha,who won the 2021 season title for the third time in their history after 39 years, Hussein, changed the usual Faisali-Wihdat dominance of the title becoming the 9th team to win the League since it kicked off in 1944 with only Faisali, Ahli, Urdun and Homenetmen clubs competing. Faisali are 35-time record league champs while Wihdat won 17 times since first joining in 1980. Ahli won eight times, Ramtha and Jazira three times, Shabab Urdun twice, Hussein, Amman and Urdun clubs once.

In addition to the League, the season saw Wihdat win the Jordan Super Cup for their 15th time, while Faisali won their 9th Jordan Football Association Shield. 

Regionally, this season saw Wihdat and Faisali failing to advance beyond Round 1 at AFC Cup and Champions League respectively.

Jordan Cup champions record 

(Runner- up in parenthesis)

• 1980Faisali (Baqa'a)
• 1981Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1982Wihdat (Ahli)
• 1983Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1984Jazira (Ahli)
• 1985Wihdat (Faisali)
• 1986Arabi (Jazira)
• 1987Faisali (Hussein)
• 1988Wihdat (Faisali)
• 1989Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1990Ramtha (Hussein)
• 1991Ramtha (Wihdat)
• 1992Faisali  (Wihdat)
• 1993Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1994Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1995Faisali (Ramtha)
• 1996Wihdat (Ramtha)
• 1997Wihdat (Ramtha)
• 1998Faisali (Wihdat)
• 1999Faisali (Wihdat)
• 2000Wihdat (Faisali)
• 2001Faisali (Hussein)
• 2002Faisali (Hussein)
• 2003 Faisali (Hussein)
• 2004 Faisali (Sh. Hussein)
• 2005 Shabab Urdun (Faisali)
• 2006 Shabab Urdun (Faisali)
• 2007Faisali (Shabab Urdun)
• 2008 Wihdat (Shabab Urdun)
• 2009Wihdat (Arabi)
• 2010Wihdat (Manshieh)
• 2011Faisali (Manshieh)
• 2012That Ras (Ramtha)
• 2013Wihdat (Baqa'a)
• 2014Faisali (That Ras)
• 2015Ahli (Shabab Urdun)
• 2016Faisali (Jazira)
• 2017Jazira (Shabab Urdun)
• 2018Faisali (Ramtha)
• 2019       20 not held
• 2021Faisali (Salt)
• 2022Wihdat (Aqaba)