In a thrilling encounter, the Jordanian national team secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against hosts South Korea in the eighth round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match, held on Tuesday, saw both teams display resilience, keeping their qualification hopes alive in Group B.
Jordan Battles Back Against South Korea
South Korea struck early, with Lee Jae-sung finding the net in the 5th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. However, Jordan responded strongly, with Mahmoud Al-Mardi leveling the score in the 30th minute. The match ended 1-1, a result that solidifies South Korea’s position at the top of the group with 16 points, while Jordan moves to 13 points, temporarily holding second place.
The outcome leaves Group B finely balanced, with Iraq (12 points) and Palestine (3 points) set to clash later. A win for Iraq would push them ahead of Jordan, intensifying the race for automatic qualification.
Oman Secures Crucial Win Over Kuwait
Meanwhile, Oman kept their World Cup dreams alive with a vital 1-0 away victory against Kuwait. Issam Al-Sabhi scored the lone goal in the 56th minute, propelling Oman to fourth place with 10 points. Kuwait, stuck at 5 points, remains at the bottom of the group, their hopes now resting solely on a potential playoff spot.
Group Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
South Korea leads Group B with 16 points, followed by Jordan (13), Iraq (12), Oman (10), Palestine (6), and Kuwait (5). The final two matchdays in June will decide the fate of the teams:
– June 5: Kuwait vs. Palestine, Oman vs. Jordan
– June 10: South Korea vs. Kuwait, Palestine vs. Oman
The top two teams from each group will secure direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup, while third and fourth-placed sides will enter a playoff for additional spots.
Road to 2026
With only two rounds left, the battle for qualification remains fierce. Jordan’s draw against South Korea proves their resilience, while Oman’s win keeps them in contention. Kuwait, however, faces an uphill struggle, needing victories in their remaining matches to stay in the race.
As the qualifiers reach their climax, football fans across Asia await thrilling conclusions to an already dramatic campaign.
Jordan Holds South Korea to 1-1 Draw in World Cup Qualifier, Oman Defeats Kuwait
