Oman vs Jordan

A pivotal Group B encounter in the AFC World Cup Qualifiers is set to unfold on Thursday as Oman face Jordan at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

Oman, dubbed Al-Ahmar, aim to capitalize on their recent victory, while Jordan, known as the Chivalrous Ones, look to recover from a draw against South Korea.

With only two matches remaining in this stage of the qualifiers, Rasheed Jaber Al-Yafai’s Oman side are teetering on the edge of elimination. However, a three-game winning streak heading into this match has boosted their confidence for a critical fight to secure three points.

In late May, Al-Ahmar secured a 1-0 win over Kuwait in Group B, followed by a 4-1 thrashing of Niger and a 1-0 victory against Lebanon in friendly matches. This momentum has given them a four-game unbeaten run. The Kuwait win in March places Oman fourth in the group with 10 points, trailing Jordan by three and South Korea by six in the qualification spots.

A loss here would dash Oman’s hopes of reaching the World Cup from Group B. However, their strong home form—winning four of their last five competitive matches at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, with only a narrow 1-0 loss to Iraq—gives them reason for optimism. A victory could theoretically propel Oman to second place, though Jordan’s eight-goal difference advantage makes it more likely they’ll need their rivals to slip up on the final matchday.

On the other side, Jamal Sellami’s Jordan have struggled for consistency, managing just one win in their last nine games, with six draws and two losses. Still, they showed resilience in their recent qualifiers, earning a 3-1 victory over Palestine and a 1-1 draw against South Korea, coming from behind against the group leaders.

Jordan currently sit second in Group B with 13 points, in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but they’re wary of Iraq, who are just one point behind in third. Their away form is a concern, with five draws and two losses in their last seven road games, but their unbeaten streak in their last six World Cup qualifiers away—winning three—suggests they can compete for a result.

A win could secure Jordan a top-two spot, but a loss would open the door for Iraq to overtake them and allow Oman to draw level on points, setting up a dramatic final matchday.