This combination of file photos show Algeria's forward Riyad Mahrez (left) and Jordan's forward Musa Al-Taamari. PIC: AFP
DOHA: Jordan and Algeria will look to revive their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns when they meet in a crucial Group J clash tomorrow at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
The match, scheduled for 6:00am (Qatar time), will be the third fixture in Group J, which also includes Argentina and Austria. With both teams suffering defeats in their opening matches, the match has taken on added significance as they seek to remain in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
Jordan enter the match following a 3-1 loss to Austria in their World Cup debut. Despite the defeat, the Nashama produced several encouraging moments and made history through Ali Olwan, who scored Jordan’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal.
Austria took the lead through Romano Schmid’s stunning long-range strike before Olwan responded five minutes into the second half.
Jordan’s hopes of claiming a valuable point were dealt a blow when defender Yazan Al-Arab inadvertently turned the ball into his own net during a corner kick. Veteran striker Marko Arnautovic later sealed Austria’s victory from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.
Head coach Jamal Sellami has urged his players to move on quickly from the disappointment and focus on the challenge ahead.
“We have turned the page on the Austria match, and our focus is now on the upcoming games against Algeria and Argentina,” Sellami said.
“We are counting on our Jordanian supporters, who backed us in the stadium and provided the players with a significant morale boost to perform at their best.”
Olwan also expressed confidence that Jordan can respond positively.
“The smart one learns from his mistakes and doesn’t repeat them,” the forward said. “I promise you that in the next match, InshaAllah, we will give our best and be better.”
Algeria, meanwhile, face Jordan after a difficult opening match against defending champions Argentina, who secured a 3-0 victory thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick.
Despite the result, Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic remains optimistic about his team’s chances of progressing from the group.
“We need to make sure the team has that belief because we know that we can do it,” Petkovic said.
“Our other two opponents in this group still need to face Argentina, so we still have our fate in our own hands.”
