Jordan and Uzbekistan have made history by securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the first-ever appearance at the global tournament for both nations.
Jordan clinched their spot with a commanding 3-0 victory over Oman, powered by a hat-trick from Ali Olwan. The result confirmed Jordan’s place among the top two teams in Group B of the Asian qualifiers, positioning them for a maiden World Cup appearance. Jordan, ranked 64th in the FIFA World Rankings, previously finished as runners-up to Qatar in the 2023 Asian Cup, and their qualification signals a major milestone in the country’s football development.
South Korea also confirmed their qualification with a 2-0 win over Iraq, securing their 11th consecutive World Cup appearance. The Taeguk Warriors benefited from an early red card shown to Iraq’s Ali Al-Hamadi, with goals from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu ensuring the victory. South Korea’s win played a key role in clearing the path for Jordan’s qualification from Group B.
Uzbekistan sealed their place after a goalless draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi. Ranked 57th in the world, Uzbekistan clinched second place in Group A behind Iran, with goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov delivering a crucial performance to preserve the clean sheet. Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov and national team captain Eldor Shomurodov, who plays for Roma, are among the most recognisable players in the Uzbek squad.
The two emerging Asian teams now join South Korea, Iran, Japan, and others in the growing list of qualified nations for the 2026 tournament. Co-hosts Mexico, the United States, and Canada automatically qualified, along with Argentina and New Zealand.
