Stunning Performances by German Provincial Footballer During World Cup Qualifiers
Fascinating Tale of a Jordanian Footballer from Germany Making Waves in the World Cup Qualifiers
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to welcome some new faces, as Uzbekistan and Jordan have both secured their places in the championship. While an Uzbek now graces the pitch for Pep Guardiola, a Jordanian has a remarkable journey in regional leagues under his belt.
Ahmad Assaf, a 25-year-old right-back, may not be a familiar name to many, but he's creating quite a buzz among football enthusiasts, given his unexpected qualification for the World Cup. Born in Munich, Assaf made his way through the unglamorous lower tiers of German football, playing for six clubs across three regions before settling in Luxembourg's US Rumelange.
His spectacular rise to international fame came when he was called up to the Jordan national team at the beginning of the year. This extraordinary story seems hardly believable, given his noteworthy – but far from glittering – club career. His stops included SpVgg Landshut, VfB Eichstätt, FC Eilenburg, Türkspor Munich, Bremer SV, and even two stints in Bosnia.
Jordan's historic World Cup qualification came late on a Thursday evening, as they bested Oman 3:0. The celebration was extra special, as Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Prince Hashem, King Abdullah II's oldest and youngest sons, cheered Assaf and his teammates on in Muscat. Although most Europeans are unfamiliar with the Jordanian team, only Musa al-Tamari, a right-winger at French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes, plays in a top league.
Roping in Talent for the Mega Event
Jordan's World Cup qualification is an excellent accomplishment, especially considering the expansion of the tournament to include 48 teams instead of 32. While they have undoubtedly benefited from this change, they managed to secure qualification even before Saudi Arabia, a more established football nation, made the cut.
Assaf, who started from the beginning, deserves recognition for his performance on the big stage. He finally celebrated World Cup qualification two and a half hours after the final whistle, once the match between Iraq and South Korea had also concluded, with Iraq's 0:2 defeat ensuring Jordan's early qualification.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan also clinched their World Cup debut, following a 0:0 draw in Abu Dhabi against the United Arab Emirates. The match may not have been particularly exciting, but it was enough to secure the Uzbeks their first-ever World Cup qualification – 31 years after they became an official FIFA member.
Football World Cup 2026 King Abdullah II (Jordan) Uzbekistan Manchester City Indonesia Josep Guardiola Abu Dhabi Oman
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft decision on the conclusion of the agreement between various football governing bodies for the organization of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, given the influx of new teams such as Jordan and Uzbekistan. Despite his humble club career starting from SpVgg Landshut in Germany, Ahmad Assaf's performance for the Jordan national team has been reminiscent of a sports legend, showcasing how determination can lead to international success in football.
