Jordan and Uzbekistan have made history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their first-ever appearances at the global tournament.
Jordan secured their spot with an impressive 3-0 win over Oman, highlighted by a hat-trick from Ali Olwan. This victory confirmed Jordan as one of the top two teams in Group B of the Asian qualifiers, ensuring their maiden World Cup berth. Currently ranked 64th in the FIFA World Rankings, Jordan had previously finished as runners-up to Qatar in the 2023 Asian Cup, making this qualification a significant milestone in their football journey.
South Korea also booked their place with a 2-0 victory over Iraq, earning their 11th consecutive World Cup appearance. The win was aided by an early red card to Iraq’s Ali Al-Hamadi, with goals from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu sealing the result. South Korea’s success helped pave the way for Jordan’s qualification from Group B.
Uzbekistan earned their spot following a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi. Ranked 57th worldwide, Uzbekistan secured second place in Group A behind Iran. Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov played a key role in maintaining the clean sheet. Notable players in the Uzbek squad include Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov and national team captain Eldor Shomurodov, who plays for Roma.
These two rising Asian nations join South Korea, Iran, Japan, and others in the expanding list of teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Co-hosts Mexico, the United States, and Canada have also automatically qualified, alongside Argentina and New Zealand.
