Amman, Dec. 4 (Petra) -- Jordanians are looking toward Washington, D.C., with rising anticipation ahead of Friday’s draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the national football team will learn its group opponents in its first-ever appearance at the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will be held next June with an expanded lineup of 48 teams, a new milestone in the competition’s history.

Across Jordan, interest in tomorrow’s draw is noticeably high. Fans are preparing to follow the event at 8 p.m. local time, eager to find out which group will feature the "Nashama" and the teams they will face in the opening stage.

The excitement follows Jordan’s historic qualification, an achievement that continues to be widely celebrated and has fueled public enthusiasm for the upcoming draw.

Supporters told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that they have arranged various ways to watch the live broadcast. Some plan to gather in cafés, others are preparing family viewing at home, while many expect to tune in from work or via mobile phones.
Jordanian communities in the United States are also organizing gatherings to mark the occasion and support the national team.

The draw will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The event will bring together former football stars, cultural and artistic figures, and official delegations from the 48 qualified nations. Six additional teams will compete in the global playoff next March to finalize the tournament lineup.

According to FIFA, the teams have been placed into four pots of 12, based on the latest world rankings. Host nations, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, are seeded in Pot 1.

This edition of the tournament will follow a new format, with 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32, another first in World Cup history.

Arab fans also await the draw with interest, as the region is set for its largest-ever presence with seven teams already qualified. Iraq could become the eighth if it succeeds in the playoff.

//Petra// RZ

04/12/2025 09:46:51