2026 FIFA World Cup — Group J, Matchday 2 | June 22 | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — For 45 minutes, they believed.
Jordan — a nation of 11 million people, playing in their first-ever World Cup — were leading Algeria 1-0 at half-time. Nizar Al-Rashdan’s 36th-minute goal had given them a lead they had no right to expect. Their fans were singing. Their players were fighting. The impossible was happening.
And then Riyad Mahrez happened.
Two corners. Two goals. One devastating comeback. Algeria won 2-1. Jordan were eliminated.
The Story of Jordan
This is not a story of failure. It is a story of arrival.
Jordan had never qualified for a World Cup before 2026. They reached the 2023 Asian Cup final. They navigated the AFC qualifiers. They earned their place. And here, against Algeria — a team with players from Europe’s top leagues — they led at half-time.
Al-Rashdan’s goal was their second of the tournament. They scored against Austria in the opening match. They scored against Algeria here. They did not come to the World Cup to defend. They came to compete.
Group J Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 6 |
| 2 | Austria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Algeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| 4 | Jordan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
Match Details:
- Jordan 1-2 Algeria
- Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California, USA
- Goals: Al-Rashdan 36′ (assist: Al-Tamari), Benbouali 69′ (assist: Mahrez), Gouiri 82′
- Man of the Match: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)