Jordan's historic World Cup debut unites nation in pride, anticipation

Jordanians gathered early Wednesday to witness a landmark moment in the country's sporting history, as the national football team, known as the "Nashama", prepared for its first-ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

The long-awaited moment marks Jordan's first qualification for football's biggest tournament. The achievement has sparked unprecedented public enthusiasm, turning football into a powerful source of national pride and unity.

Despite the unusual 7:00 a.m. local kickoff time, the country was fully awake. The Jordanian government delayed the official start of the workday until 10:00 a.m. on match days to enable citizens to watch and support the team.

In the heart of the capital city Amman, the historic Roman Theater was transformed into a massive fan zone. Organized by the Ministry of Youth, the Greater Amman Municipality and the Jordan Tourism Board, the ancient stone steps were packed with families and youth groups.

For those outside the capital, the government set up giant screens across four sports cities and 60 youth centers nationwide.

"This participation is an achievement in itself," sports analyst Khaled Khatatbeh told Xinhua. "Regardless of the results, Jordanians are proud to see their country represented on the world's biggest football stage. The team has the ability to deliver strong performances and surprise its rivals."

For many fans, the qualification has reshaped perceptions of sport across the country.

"I grew up watching the national team and dreaming about seeing Jordan in the World Cup," said Omar Al-Rawabdeh, a 17-year-old youth football player from Karak. "Now that dream has become reality. The Nashama has shown young players like me that nothing is impossible, and inspired us to pursue our ambitions with determination and hard work."

"This is more than a football match; it is a moment that every Jordanian has been waiting for," added Ahmad Al Zoubi, a football supporter from Irbid. "We woke up before sunrise to watch the game because we feel we are witnessing history."

Zaid Al Saeed, a university student, echoed the sentiment: "We didn't sleep last night. To see Jordan's flag flying at a World Cup is something we used to only dream about while watching other teams. Winning or losing today doesn't change the fact that history has already been written. The Nashama has shown us that nothing is impossible."

Jordan faces Austria, Algeria and Argentina in the group stage, as the team hopes its historic World Cup journey will open a new chapter in the development of Jordanian football.