Jordan will face Vietnam at 6:30 PM on tuesday, 6/1, with the match broadcast on VnExpress.

Jordan secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup by finishing second in Group B of the third qualifying round in Asia. This success was aided by coach Sellami, who is currently in Saudi Arabia to observe the U23 players.

The coach, who is of Moroccan and Jordanian descent, aims to thoroughly evaluate the players' abilities and select essential talents to strengthen the national team. With the authority granted, coach Sellami can even provide feedback and advice to the U23 team throughout the tournament, alongside coach Omar Najhi.

Jordan national football team coach Jamal Sellami. *Photo: JFA*

"The presence of coach Sellami is a significant morale booster for the players", according to an article in Winwin, an Arabic-speaking sports newspaper. "They will strive to prove themselves to earn a historic opportunity to represent Jordan at the 2026 World Cup."

Some Jordan players participating in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup have already received chances with the national team, such as defender Ali Hajabi (born in 2004) and forward Odeh Fakhoury (2005). However, coach Omar Najhi expressed regret over the absence of three key players: forward Ibrahim Sabra, who plays for Goztepe in the Turkish national league; Ali Azaizeh (Kazma, Kuwait); and midfielder Mohannad Abu Taha (Al Quwa Al Jawiya, Iraq). Their clubs did not release them for national team duty because the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup falls outside the FIFA international match calendar (FIFA days).

All 23 current Jordan players compete domestically, with most regularly playing at club level. The team prepared thoroughly with a training camp in Qatar, similar to Vietnam, and faced two strong opponents, drawing 0-0 with Uzbekistan and 1-1 with Japan. Fakhoury scored the only goal.

Jordan forward Odeh Fakhoury trains with the team in Saudi Arabia on 3/1/2026, ahead of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. *Photo: JFA*

Jordan aims to deliver another outstanding performance on the international stage. Previously, Jordan were runners-up in the 2023 Asian Cup, the 2025 Arab Cup, and secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Jordan will play the tournament's opening match against Vietnam tomorrow, 6/1. "They are aiming for a victory, a strong and impressive start, thereby boosting their confidence to hope for a deep run in the tournament", Winwin assessed.

Jordan has never missed an AFC U23 Asian Cup final round, while Vietnam was absent once in the inaugural tournament in 2013. The West Asian representative's best achievement was a third-place finish in their first appearance. Vietnam performed better, reaching the final in 2018, where they only lost to Uzbekistan in extra time.

Jordan impressively qualified for this AFC U23 Asian Cup, winning all three matches against Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei, and Bhutan, scoring 19 goals and conceding only one.

Jordan U23 national football team squad list:

Goalkeepers (3): Murad Al Faluje (Al Hussein), Salameh Salman (Shabab Al Ordon), Abdel Suleiman (Al Faisaly)

Defenders (9): Jafar Samarah, Abdallah Al Mnayyes, Ahmad Elmughrabi (Al Ramtha), Ali Hajabi (Al Hussein), Arafat Fahid, Ayham Al Samamreh (Al Wehdat), Ahmad Abdallah, Mohammad Taha (Shabab Al Ordon), Mohammad Al Shatti (Al Ahli)

Midfielders (4): Yousef Qashi, Hashem Al Mbaidin (Al Hussein), Saleh Fraij (Al Etihad), Seif Suleiman (Shabab Al Ordon)

Forwards (7): Amin Al Shanaineh, Anas Al Khob (Al Faisaly), Baker Kalbouneh (Al Wehdat), Odeh Fakhoury, Mahmoud Theeb, Khaldoon Sabra (Al Hussein), Momen Al Saket (Al Ramtha)

By Hieu Luong