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The World Cup has a new debutant: Jordan’s Al-Nashama, “the chivalrous ones,” finally stepping onto the biggest stage.
In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass unpacks how a country better known for Petra and the Jordan River quietly built a serious football culture, from British-introduced games in the 1920s and early regional success to near-misses like the 2014 playoff defeat to Uruguay. We revisit the rise of domestic giants Al-Faisaly and Al-Wehdat and how their fierce rivalry reflects deeper questions of identity and community.
Then we follow Jordan’s breakthrough run: an Asian Cup final in 2023, a nervy coaching change, and a third-round qualifying campaign where a disciplined defense and clutch wins over Oman and Iraq edged them into 2026 just behind South Korea. Up front, poacher Ali Olwan headlines a growing group of overseas-based players ready to shock bigger names. For a nation with no prior World Cup history, this feels like the start of something much bigger than one tournament.
No transcript available for this episode.

Kickback '26

Kickback '26

Kickback '26