Mahrez at 35 · Jordan's Historic WC · Bennacer Concern · Santa Clara Midnight
Jordan are at their first ever World Cup — a historic moment for football in the Hashemite Kingdom. Their qualification came through the AFC route and was celebrated as one of the great achievements in Jordanian sporting history. Coach Hussein Ammouta, who previously managed Morocco, has built a structured, hard-working side that relies on collective effort and defensive organisation rather than individual star quality.
Musa Al-Taamari (Rennes) is the most technically accomplished player in the squad and the one most capable of creating something against an organised defence. Ibrahim Sabra (Lokomotiva Zagreb, 20 years old) is the young talent who could take this stage and run with it. The devastating pre-tournament news: Yazan Al-Naimat — Jordan's top striker — was ruled out through injury before the squad finalised. Against Algeria, Jordan need to be defensively resolute and find moments on the counter.
Algeria arrive as one of the more experienced African sides in this tournament. Captain Riyad Mahrez — 35, Al-Ahli, 113 caps, 38 international goals — leads the Desert Foxes at what is almost certainly his final major tournament. His pace has reduced from his Manchester City peak, but his technical quality, his ability to drift inside on his left foot, and his set-piece delivery remain among the finest in the game.
Houssem Aouar provides creative energy in midfield. Amine Gouiri offers pace and directness in attack. Mohamed Amoura is the striker leading the line. Vladimir Petković — who previously managed Switzerland — has brought a European tactical structure to Algeria's game. The concern: Ismail Bennacer has been dealing with injury and his absence from midfield would be felt acutely, given the midfield control he provides. Algeria need to manage Mahrez's load carefully too.