Full Breakdown
Jordan Faces Injury Setbacks Ahead of World Cup Debut
5/16/2026, 12:26:23 AM
Jordan's World Cup Debut Marred by Key Injuries
Jordan’s national team will go to the 2026 FIFA World Cup missing three recently selected players. Defender Issam Smeeri ruptured his Achilles tendon during individual training and is ruled out. Forward Yazan Al-Naimat and midfielder Adham Al-Quraishi also miss the tournament after failing to recover from ACL tears sustained at the Arab Cup in December.
First World Cup Appearance and Group Draw
The 2026 tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico and marks Jordan’s first appearance on football’s biggest stage. Drawn in Group J with Algeria, Austria and defending champions Argentina, the team now faces reduced depth after the injuries to Smeeri, Al-Naimat and Al-Quraishi.
Injured Players and Their Roles
Key Dates, Hosts, and Injury Summary
Tournament dates: June 11–July 19, 2026. Hosts: United States, Canada, Mexico. Group J opponents: Algeria, Austria, Argentina. Injured players: three (Smeeri, Al-Naimat, Al-Quraishi). Injuries: ruptured Achilles (Smeeri) and ACL tears (Al-Naimat, Al-Quraishi). Smeeri age: 26.
Association Announcement on X
The Jordan FA posted on X on Friday, confirming Smeeri’s Achilles rupture and reaffirming the earlier exclusions of Al-Naimat and Al-Quraishi. It said the players “will now miss the tournament” and expressed regret over the timing of the setbacks.
Direct Statements from the Association and Media
- “Jordan defender Issam Smeeri will miss the country’s first World Cup after the national football association said on Friday he had suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.” — Jordan FA
- “The 26-year-old sustained the injury during individual training with the national team, the association said in a post on X, and will now miss the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.” — Jordan FA
- “The right back joins Yazan Al-Naimat and Adham Al-Quraishi on the list of absentees, after both players were also ruled out of the World Cup after failing to recover in time from anterior cruciate ligament injuries sustained while representing Jordan at the Arab Cup last December.” — Jordan FA
- “Jordan, making their World Cup debut, have been drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and defending champions Argentina.” — Reuters
Impact on Squad Selection and Tactics
The trio’s absence forces the coaching staff to reshuffle defensive and attacking line-ups for the group stage. Without a right back and with fewer forward and midfield options, Jordan must rely on remaining players, potentially altering tactics against seasoned opponents.
Upcoming Match and Roster Finalization
Jordan’s first World Cup match is set for the opening day of the tournament on June 11. The team will finalize its revised roster in the days leading up to the kickoff, aiming to compete despite the injury setbacks.
