Muscat: Our national football team is gearing up to host Jordan tomorrow at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, Muscat Governorate, for a critical match in the ninth round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game is scheduled to commence at 8:00 pm.
According to Oman News Agency, the team is focused on securing a win to earn three valuable points, which are crucial for bolstering its position in the race for a direct qualification spot for the World Cup to be held in the United States and Mexico. Oman currently holds fourth place in Group 2 with 10 points from eight matches, trailing behind Jordan, who is in second place with 13 points. South Korea leads the group with 16 points, and Iraq is third with 12 points, while Palestine and Kuwait occupy the fifth and sixth positions, respectively.
Rasheed Jaber, the head coach of the national team, expressed confidence during a press conference, stating: "The match against Jordan will not be easy, but we are seeking a positive result, and all players are ready for the challenge." He emphasized that the outcome will depend on small details and the players' performance, highlighting the strong and dangerous attacking line of the Jordanian team.
The Omani team's preparations included a domestic training camp, where they achieved two friendly victories over Niger (4-1) and Lebanon (1-0). The national technical staff is relying on the players' determination, improved form, and anticipated robust support from fans during the match.
Historically, the two teams have met nine times in continental competitions, with five encounters in World Cup qualifiers and four in Asian Cup qualifiers. In their last five fixtures, Jordan has emerged victorious three times, including a 4-0 win over Oman in the first leg of these qualifiers, while the other two matches concluded in draws.
The match will be officiated by a Saudi refereeing team, with Khalid Al-Turais as the main referee, supported by assistants Hisham Al-Rifai and Abdulrahim Al-Shammari, and Faisal Al-Harbi as the fourth official. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties will be managed by Sultan Al-Harbi, with assistance from Ibrahim Al-Dakhil.
