Jordan
Jordan make their tournament debut, an extraordinary first for a country that had reached only the AFC play-off in three previous cycles. Hussein Ammouta, the Moroccan-born coach who delivered the 2024 Asian Cup final run, leads the Al-Nashama with structure and counter-attacking pace. Musa Al-Taamari (Montpellier) is the wing star; Yazan Al-Naimat provides the goal-threat; Mohammad Abu Hashish anchors midfield; Yazid Atouni keeps goal. Jordan's 2024 AFC final was the moment a footballing nation announced itself — they lost 3-1 to Qatar but earned the world's respect. Group J with Argentina, Algeria and Austria is brutal but there is no pressure: this entire tournament is bonus territory. A point against Algeria or a competitive draw with Austria would already be national history.