The 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off with an intriguing encounter as Jordan host Algeria on June 23rd. With both sides yet to register a competitive fixture in this campaign, this match represents a fresh start and an opportunity to lay down an early marker. The "even odds" prediction of 33% for a home win, draw, or away win perfectly encapsulates the tight nature of this fixture, with neither team having established form to lean on.
For Jordan, the home advantage will be crucial. They will aim to leverage the passionate support to unsettle an Algerian side widely considered to possess greater individual talent. The key narrative for the hosts will be their defensive solidity and ability to frustrate Algeria's attacking prowess, potentially snatching a goal on the counter. Algeria, conversely, will be expected to dictate the tempo and demonstrate their attacking flair. Watch for their creative midfielders to unlock Jordan's defence and for their forwards to test the goalkeeper early. This opening fixture is less about established form and more about which team can best adapt to the pressure of a World Cup qualifier and execute their game plan from the first whistle.
1. Y. Abulaila, 3. A. Nasib, 5. Y. Al Arab, 16. M. Abualnadi, 23. E. Haddad, 21. N. Al Rashdan, 8. N. Al Rawabdeh, 20. M. Abu Taha, 11. O. Al Fakhouri, 9. A. Olwan, 10. M. Tamari
23. L. Zidane, 17. R. Belghali, 2. A. Mandi, 21. R. Bensebaini, 15. R. Ait-Nouri, 14. H. Boudaoui, 19. N. Bentaleb, 22. I. Maza, 11. A. Hadj Moussa, 9. A. Gouiri, 10. F. Chaibi
Match events
36' Goal Normal Goal — N. Al Rashdan (Jordan) (assists: M. Tamari)
44' Card Yellow Card — R. Zerrouki (Algeria)
46' subst Substitution 1 — R. Zerrouki (Algeria) (assists: N. Bentaleb)
46' subst Substitution 2 — H. Boudaoui (Algeria) (assists: N. Benbouali)
64' Card Yellow Card — H. Abu Dahab (Jordan)
69' Goal Normal Goal — N. Benbouali (Algeria) (assists: R. Mahrez)
76' subst Substitution 3 — R. Mahrez (Algeria) (assists: A. Hadj Moussa)
76' subst Substitution 1 — M. Al Mardi (Jordan) (assists: O. Al Fakhouri)
82' Goal Normal Goal — A. Gouiri (Algeria)
84' subst Substitution 2 — M. Tamari (Jordan) (assists: A. Azaizeh)
85' subst Substitution 3 — M. Abu Taha (Jordan) (assists: M. Abu Hasheesh)
85' subst Substitution 4 — R. Ait-Nouri (Algeria) (assists: J. Hadjam)
86' subst Substitution 5 — A. Gouiri (Algeria) (assists: Z. Belaid)
90'+1 subst Substitution 4 — A. Olwan (Jordan) (assists: Shararh)
90'+1 subst Substitution 5 — H. Abu Dahab (Jordan) (assists: S. Obaid)
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