German Province Footballer Sensationalizes World Cup Qualifiers
Unbelievable Story: A Footballer from Germany's Provincial Backwaters Secures Sensational World Cup Qualification with Jordan
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The Football World Cup 2026 has already secured its first debutants: Uzbekistan and Jordan have clinched their spots within hours of each other. While a Uzbeki player is now playing for Pep Guardiola, a Jordanian player has recently graced the fields of Eichstätt and Eilenburg.
Ahmad Assaf is a name known only to the most dedicated football enthusiasts or regional league aficionados. This 25-year-old right-back was born in Munich and demonstrated a certain footballing talent that led him to compete in ambitious amateur and later semi-professional leagues. After six years and eight clubs in his journey through footballing backwaters in Bavaria, Saxony, and Bremen, Assaf secured the World Cup qualification.
So, how did this happen? In January 2025, Assaf was called up for the first time to the Jordan national team – an extraordinary choice for a player with a modest professional career. To the surprise of many, "the Reds" – as Jordan's footballers are called – defeated Oman 3-0 on June 5, 2025, securing their spot in the World Cup.
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For Jordan, the World Cup qualification is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. This dream of playing in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the first World Cup with 48 teams rather than 32, has finally come true. It's no secret that the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams has benefited Jordan more than other teams, such as Saudi Arabia's Asian powerhouse, who are still sweating it out as they wait for their fate. The fact that Jordan secured their spot on the world stage with one game remaining before the final matchday showcases a remarkable accomplishment for the small nation.
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Jubilant members of the Jordanian Royal Family were present at the momentous victory in the stands. Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Prince Hashem, the eldest and youngest sons of King Abdullah II, celebrated Assaf and his teammates in Maskat. "The Reds" may not be well-known in Europe, but there's only one top-flight player in the team – Musa al-Tamari, the left-winger for Stade Rennes in France.
Assaf could make a name for himself on the world stage should he perform well in the World Cup. He even started against Oman, contributing to the team's success by playing a crucial role during the first 90 minutes – only for the final result to be sealed once the game between Iraq and South Korea had finished.
Uzbekistan Also Makes History
A mere 450 kilometers away from Maskat, Uzbekistan celebrated its own World Cup debut on June 5, 2025.
The match between the United Arab Emirates and the "White Wolves of Turan" – a boring 0-0 result – nevertheless gave Uzbekistan their much-anticipated debut in the World Cup finals – 31 years after they were officially recognized as a FIFA member.
The qualification for the World Cup may not mean much to powerhouses like France, England, or Brazil. But for us, it's the realization of a dream for the entire population, the culmination of a generation's hopes," wrote Uzbek local press, also hailing the end of a qualifying nightmare.
Uzbekistan has come close to qualifying for the World Cup on several occasions. In 2006, for example, just a single goal separated them from an epic showdown against Trinidad & Tobago in the knockout stages. In 2002, 2014, and 2018, they narrowly missed their chance to compete on the global football stage.
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The Uzbek Football Association set the stage for this success at the dawn of the new millennium, only a few years after its establishment. A consistent youth development program made the U-20 team from the former Soviet country a regular participant in U-20 World Cups. In 2003 and 2009, Uzbekistan exited the group stage, but they sensationally reached the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2015, and reached the Round of 16 in 2023.
At the U-20 World Cup in 2021, the star Defender Abdukodir Khusanov shone. The 21-year-old was eventually signed by Manchester City in January 2022 and has played six games under manager Pep Guardiola in the second half of the Premier League season.
The second well-known player on the Uzbek team is Eldor Shomurodov. The 29-year-old striker has 129 appearances in Serie A, is currently on a scoring spree for AS Roma, and recently played alongside Mats Hummels. Perhaps Hummels, a World Cup winner in 2014, shared some insights with Shomurodov.
Also eyeing the spotlight
Although Uzbekistan and Jordan have secured their places in the 2026 World Cup as the first debutants, they are unlikely to be the last Asian teams to join.
In Asia, Indonesia, Oman, and Palestine still have hopes of making their World Cup debut. Indonesia, coached by former Dutch star striker Patrick Kluivert, and captain Kevin Diks, who plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach, have significant prospects.
In Africa, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cape Verde, Gabon, Mozambique, Namibia, and the Comoros have reasons to be optimistic. In South America, Venezuela is holding on to the realization of their big dream. And even New Caledonia still has a remote possibility of participating.
Perhaps in the summer of 2026, there will be more players who can boast a biography like Ahmad Assaf's. But from Landshut, via Eichstätt, Eilenburg, and Rümlingen to the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico? That would be hard to top.
Source: ntv.de
- Football World Cup 2026
- Jordan
- King Abdullah II (Jordan)
- Uzbekistan
- Manchester City
- Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Indonesia
- Josep Guardiola
- Abdukodir Khusanov
- Eldor Shomurodov
- Patrick Kluivert
- Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Mats Hummels
- Prince Hussein bin Abdullah
- Prince Hashem
- Oman
Enrichment Data:Ahmad Assaf is a member of Jordan's national football team, which secured a historical qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Oman 3-0 on June 5, 2025. Assaf’s inclusion in the Jordanian team may have occurred due to him having ancestral connections to Jordan, such as a parent or grandparent. The correct birthplace for Ahmad Assaf has not been specified in the available data. It is plausible that Ahmad Assaf's German-sounding name could have fostered the incorrect assumption regarding his birthplace. However, without further information, it is difficult to confirm whether this is the case.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft decision on the conclusion of the agreement for the expansion of the Football World Cup from 32 to 48 teams. In light of the historic qualification of Jordan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sports enthusiasts and football analysts are discussing the impact this new format of the tournament could have on less prominent nations like Jordan and Uzbekistan.
