Latest news with #JamalSellami
Morocco World
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Jordan National Team Eyes Training Camp in Morocco Ahead of World Cup 2026
Marrakech – Moroccan coach Jamal Sellami has revealed that the Jordanian national football team may hold a training camp in Morocco as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking to Jordanian media, Sellami—currently in Morocco for the 'World Cup Nights' program—disclosed that he received phone calls from officials at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) who welcomed the possibility of hosting a training camp for the Jordan national team. 'Morocco has excellent infrastructure in terms of facilities. If the Jordan Football Association approves, there is nothing to prevent it, especially since our presence there will give us a greater opportunity to play more than one friendly match with African teams,' Sellami explained. The Moroccan coach noted that he has already submitted a comprehensive strategy to the Jordan Football Association (JFA) outlining the preparation plan for the 'Nashama' team ahead of the World Cup. According to Sellami, holding the camp in Morocco would provide the Jordanian team with a unique opportunity to face various African teams, which would enhance their readiness for the challenges of the world's most prestigious tournament. The preparation plan also includes participation in the Arab Cup tournament scheduled to be held in Qatar at the end of this year. Additionally, the strategy involves utilizing the under-23 team that is preparing for the Asian finals, as part of a comprehensive approach to building a strong team for the future. Sellami took over coaching duties after being nominated by former coach Hussein Ammouta. Under Ammouta's leadership, the Jordan national team carved its name into Asian football history—most notably by storming to a runner-up finish at the 2023 Asian Cup. Sellami continued implementing the same tactical plan that contributed to the team's qualification for the World Cup for the first time in its history. Jordan secured their historic World Cup qualification after defeating Oman 3-0 in the Asian qualifiers, with star player Ali Alouan scoring a hat-trick. The team benefited from Iraq's stumble against South Korea, which confirmed their direct qualification even before the final round of matches. With this victory, Jordan now leads Group B with 16 points, sharing the top spot with South Korea, who also have 16 points but trail in goal difference. Iraq slipped to third place with 12 points following their loss to South Korea. Jordan has become the tenth team to officially qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, as well as Iran, Japan, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Argentina, and New Zealand. They are currently the only Arab country to have booked their spot at this stage. The Jordanian team, known as the 'Nashama,' demonstrated not just individual talent but collective discipline during their qualifying campaign, particularly in their decisive match against Oman, where they left no opportunity for their opponents to recover. Sellami confirmed his commitment to his mission until 2027, with a clear desire to continue building a team capable of achieving more accomplishments in the future.
Khaleej Times
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
How Jordan became the first Arab team to qualify for 2026 Fifa World Cup
It's somewhat ironic that an Arab coach led Jordan, a football-mad country of 11 million people, to their first-ever World Cup qualification after heavy investments in big-name English coaches had failed to produce results. Unlike Harry Redknapp and the late Ray Wilkins, Jamal Sellami's CV doesn't feature a stint at any of the top European clubs. But it was the Moroccan whose tactical acumen made the difference as Jordan last week became the first Arab team to secure their ticket to next year's World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. To put things in perspective, the hopes of Saudi Arabia, who have played in six World Cup since their debut at the global showpiece in 1994, are still hanging in balance. A team that famously beat Argentina, the eventual winners, in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, face a tricky fourth-round qualifying campaign, with the nerve-racking playoffs looming, after failing to earn one of the two automatic berths from their group in the third round of Asian qualifiers. Jordan, on the other hand, surprised the pundits with their near-perfect performances in the gruelling battle for the top two positions in their group during the third qualifying round. So how did a small country, which entered World Cup qualifiers only 40 years ago, show such a big ambition to reach the pinnacle of the sport? Jordan came very close to qualifying for the World Cup in 2013 when they advanced to the inter-continental playoffs on the back of some heroic performances in Asia. But their campaign ended in heartbreak when they lost to a star-studded Uruguay team which clinched the spot at the 2014 World Cup. The next two qualifying campaigns saw Jordan try out different coaches, including Redknapp and Wilkins, but a World Cup berth remained elusive. Things started to change for them in 2023 after Hussein Ammouta, a Moroccan coach, took over. It was under Ammouta that Jordan captivated the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar, even pulling off a shock 2-0 victory over South Korea in the semifinals. Hosts Qatar proved too strong for them in the final, but playing their first title-decider in the continental showpiece was a testament to their progress and the scale of their ambition. Inexplicably, Ammouta left the job last year, but Jordan found the ideal replacement in Sellami. The 54-year-old inherited a team that was built to play the waiting game with a solid defensive formation before launching devastating counterattacks. It's with that style of play that Jordan have now galloped into the World Cup finals by clinching the second spot behind South Korea with 16 points from 10 matches in Group B. Striker Ali Olwan led the campaign with nine goals in the qualifiers as Rennes right-winger Musa Al-Tamari, the first Jordanian player in history to play club football in Europe, scored seven goals and Yazan Al-Naimat found the back of the net five times. With just eight goals conceded in the third round, Jordan also had the second-best defensive record behind South Korea in Group B, showing the team's all-round depth. They were virtually assured of a place in the World Cup following their comprehensive 3-0 win over Oman last Thursday with a hat trick from Ali Olwan. Later that night South Korea's 2-0 victory over Iraq confirmed Jordan's World Cup qualification as massive celebrations erupted in the country. While thousands of people hit the streets in Amman, singing, dancing and waving the national flag, King Abdullah II joined the celebrations from London wearing the team jersey. Incredibly, Jordan's historic moment coincided with Eid Al Adha last week. 'This achievement comes after years of hard work from players and the Jordan FA,' said Sellami. 'This historic qualification is for all the people who believed in us.' The celebrations will be even bigger if they pull off a shock win over a World Cup giant next year.
Ya Biladi
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan coach Jamal Sellami leads Jordan to first-ever World Cup qualification
Moroccan coach Jamal Sellami has led the Jordanian national team to its first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup, securing their place in the finals with one round remaining in the qualifiers. This historic achievement came after a commanding 3–0 victory over Oman on Wednesday. Jordan's qualification was also confirmed following the defeat of their direct rivals, Iraq, who lost 2–0 to South Korea, a result that allowed the Koreans to clinch their own spot in the finals as well. A historic hat-trick by Ali Alwan #Road_to_WorldCup2026 | #WorldCupQualifiers #AsianQualifiers — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 5, 2025 Following the latest round of matches, South Korea leads the group with 19 points, followed by Jordan with 16. Iraq stands at 12 points, Oman at 10, and Palestine at 9. Sellami took over the Jordanian national team from fellow Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta, who had previously led Jordan to its first-ever appearance in an Asian Cup final.
Morocco World
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Moroccan Coach Jamal Sellami Leads Jordan to Historic World Cup Qualification
Rabat– Moroccan coach Jamal Sellami has guided the Jordanian national football team to a historic achievement, officially securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Jordan clinched a decisive 3-0 victory over Oman in the Asian qualifiers, with standout player Ali Alouan delivering a brilliant hat-trick to seal the win. With this latest triumph, Jordan now leads Group B with 16 points, sharing the top of the table with South Korea, who also have 16 points but trail in goal difference. Iraq, a direct competitor, slipped to third place with 12 points following their stumble against South Korea — a result that confirmed Jordan's direct qualification even before the final round of matches on Tuesday. This moment marks a major milestone in Jordan's football history, as the team, known as the 'Nashama,' qualifies for the World Cup for the first time ever. Coach Jamal Sellam i's leadership and tactical vision have been widely praised, especially for how Jordan managed its strength throughout the qualifiers with smart, composed play. Against Oman, Jordan showcased not just individual talent but collective discipline, leaving no opportunity for their opponent to recover. Jordan now becomes the tenth team to officially qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, as well as Iran, Japan, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Argentina, and New Zealand. Notably, Jordan is also the only Arab nation to have secured qualification at this stage. The victory and qualification underline not only a golden era for Jordanian football but also reinforce Morocco's growing influence in the sport, with Coach Sellami joining a new generation of Moroccan football figures making their mark on the global stage. Tags: jamal SellamiJordanjordan football
Roya News
04-06-2025
- General
- Roya News
World Cup dream: Jordan faces Oman in crucial qualifier match
The Jordanian national football team, known as the Nashama, stands on the brink of history as they prepare to face Oman in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match tomorrow, June 5, at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat. A victory could secure Jordan's first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup, a milestone that would mark a monumental achievement for the country's sports history. The match, part of the AFC third round qualifiers in Group B, kicks off at 8:00 PM local time and carries immense weight for both teams. Jordan, currently second in their group with 13 points and a +6 goal difference, is three points behind leaders South Korea. A win against Oman, combined with a loss for Iraq against South Korea in a simultaneous fixture, could clinch Jordan's direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Under the guidance of coach Jamal Sellami, Jordan has shown remarkable form in the qualifiers. Their dominant 4-0 victory over Oman in October 2024 at Amman International Stadium showcased their attacking prowess, with Yazan Al-Naimat and Ali Alwan each scoring twice. Oman, sitting fourth in Group B with 10 points, is not out of the race. Managed by Rashid Jaber, the Omani side is coming off a 1-0 friendly win over Lebanon and a 4-1 thrashing of a Niger 'A' team, signaling their intent to challenge Jordan on home soil. Despite their recent loss to Jordan, Oman's solid home record, seven wins and one draw in their last ten home matches, makes them a formidable opponent. A victory for Oman, coupled with dropped points by Jordan and Iraq, could keep their hopes alive for a top-two finish and their first-ever World Cup appearance. The head-to-head record slightly favors Jordan, who has won five of their 12 encounters with Oman, including the last two matches, while Oman has secured three victories and four draws. Since their first World Cup qualifying campaign in 1986, the Nashama have come close to qualification, notably reaching the intercontinental playoff against Uruguay in 2013. Their recent performances, including a 2-0 upset over South Korea in the 2024 AFC Asian Cup semifinals and second place finish in the tournament after a loss to Qatar, have raised expectations. With FIFA expanding the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, granting Asia eight direct qualification spots, Jordan's chances have never been better.
