RIYADH: Once the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw was finalized, it was already seen within the Jordan camp as a monumental task to qualify for the knockout stages. But when Yazan Al-Naimat ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in late December, optimism quickly gave way to concern among Jordanian fans.
With his participation in the World Cup touch-and-go until the very end, it was announced just weeks before the finalization of the tournament squads that Al-Naimat would indeed miss the tournament.
Jordan will make their World Cup debut without their most prolific player, who has scored 20 international goals in 43 appearances since 2023.
His four goals at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup led them to a historic runner-up position, before eight goals in the Asian qualifiers played a key part in the Nashama’s road to the World Cup.
But just how crucial is Al-Naimat’s absence for the Nashama? With Ligue 1-based Mousa Al-Tamari and 2025 FIFA Arab Cup Golden Boot winner Ali Olwan still available, Jordan are hardly short of attacking talent.
