Olwan: This is Jordan’s best ever generation

Doha, Qatar: Jordan entered their encounter with Egypt at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 with nothing on the line, having already done the hard work to...

Doha, Qatar: Jordan entered their encounter with Egypt at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 with nothing on the line, having already done the hard work to secure six points and put themselves at the top of their group after their second-round match against Kuwait – guaranteeing them a spot in the quarter-finals.

So it was only natural that coach Jamal Sellami sent out an entirely different line-up to start against Egypt in the last round of the group stage, with none of the previous starters included.

Despite the sweeping changes, Jordan looked outstanding against Egypt. They served up one of the best displays of the tournament, scoring three goals and taking their tally to nine points – the culmination of a terrific effort that made them the only side to complete the group stage with a perfect record, during which they netted eight goals while conceding only two.

Ali Olwan, one of Jordan’s standout names in recent years, is the tournament’s top scorer with three goals. He spoke to FIFA after the match to explain how the Nashama are managing to perform so brilliantly without their regular starters and even without major stars like Mousa Al Tamari of Stade Rennais.

“None of our squad are here to make up the numbers,” Olwan said. “Any player the coach chooses will give 100% for the Jordan badge. Today was a massive opportunity for every player to prove themselves. We topped the group, thank God, and what’s to come will be even better.”