Jordan and South Korea Clash in Crucial World Cup Qualifier

Jordan and South Korea are set to face off on Thursday in a pivotal World Cup Qualifying match in Asia’s third round. The encounter will take place at the Amman International Stadium, where both teams aim to assert their positions at the top of Group B. Jordan currently leads the group on goal difference, sharing four points with South Korea and Iraq.

Jordan, who have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, are off to a strong start in their campaign for the 2026 tournament. Under the management of the newly appointed coach since July 2024, Jordan has secured a victory and a draw in their opening matches. The team topped their second-round group with goals ahead of Saudi Arabia.

Speaking ahead of the match, Jordan’s manager expressed optimism about maintaining an unbeaten record. “Every match is crucial, especially against a strong team like South Korea. Our focus is on securing three points to keep our qualification hopes alive,” he noted.

South Korea, on their part, aims to continue their streak of successive World Cup qualifications since 1986. Despite a history of struggles against Jordan, losing 2-0 in the last AFC Asian Cup semi-finals and drawing 2-2 in the group stage, the team is keen to reclaim dominance.

South Korea manager, who returned to the position in 2023, emphasized the importance of a solid performance. “Our players understand the stakes. It’s a matter of executing our strategy effectively to secure a win,” he stated before the match.

Team news indicates that Jordan might stick with a similar lineup to their previous matches. However, there are uncertainties around the fitness of attacking midfielder Mousa Al-Taamari. Meanwhile, South Korea is hopeful that their star forward, who missed recent games due to injury, will return just in time to feature.

The squads are expected to field their best players, with Jordan’s possible starting lineup including players like Abulaila and Al-Naimat. For South Korea, key players like Lee Kang-In and Heung-Min Son are anticipated to spearhead the attack.

With both sides evenly matched in points but not in squad depth, South Korea will rely on their wealth of experience and talent to overpower Jordan. Analysts forecast a victory for South Korea, but Jordan’s home advantage could play a significant role in the match’s outcome.