2026 World Cup Debutants: Jordan's Football Story ft. Curtis Ryan

A compelling instalment in our in-season series on World Cup debutants, in this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Middle East scholar Curtis Ryan of Appalachian State University about Jordan’s historic first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup. From the fierce rivalry between Al-Faisaly and Al-Wehdat—shaped by identity, history and social tensions—to the unifying force of the national team, this is a timely and insightful discussion on sport, identity and politics in the Middle East country. The episode also explores powerful stories from Syrian refugee camps and Jordan’s pioneering role in advancing women’s football globally, as well as the team’s World Cup prospects and the geopolitical challenges facing fans, particularly US visa restrictions. Curtis's chapter on identity politics in Jordan, which we referenced in the introduction, can be found here, if you would like to learn more.