“Life is played as one team”

I have been following football matches since 1982, when my family moved from the town of Al-Wahadneh (then part of Ajloun District) to settle in Amman. My father, may his soul rest in peace, bought us at the time a 20-inch black-and-white television which we viewed this as an extraordinary event. So, we avidly awaited watching football matches, as family members would divide their loyalties among Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, and other teams. Since then, football matches have become part of our family memories and an integral part of our childhood and youth.

 I recall that once we went to Amman International Stadium to watch a local football match. We were greatly amazed when, for the first time, we saw the natural colors of the field pitch, the huge crowds, the flags, and the chants. The scene seemed completely different from what we had watched on our small television screen, as though we had moved from the world of images into the world of reality.

We never imagined, 45-five years ago, that we would reach the year 2026 when football matches would be broadcast to every corner of the world through modern technology and advanced streaming platforms, as well as in the age of artificial intelligence and instant communications. Yet, what we had not further expected or what was even more surprising than all is this technological achievement and how the trend of our “footballing hearts” has changed.

After long years of supporting foreign national teams, we are now living through a different historic moment. Our primary attention is no longer focused on Brazil, Germany, Argentina, or any other global football power, because beloved Jordan is now participating in the World Cup, marking a culmination of a long journey of work, effort, planning, and belief in a dream.

Jordan's participation in this global event is not merely a sporting achievement. It is rather a national achievement shaped by generations of players, coaches, administrators, and supporters. It is also an opportunity to thank everyone who believed that Jordan is capable of reaching this international level.

His Majesty King Abdullah II has repeatedly affirmed that Jordan's strength lies in the unity and cohesion of its people, and that great achievements are attained when everyone works with the spirit of one team. Likewise, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah II together with His Royal Highness Prince Ali Ibn Al Hussein, consistently emphasize that the Jordanian youth are capable of bringing about achievements and upholding the nation's name whenever they are given the opportunity, support, and determination.

Perhaps the most beautiful thing we are witnessing these days is the sense of national unity which was associated with the national team's participation. Jordanians stand behind one flag, one chant, and one dream. We may differ in many issues, but today we unite around a team that represents us all and carries Jordan's name to the world. The Roman Theater has once again become the jewel of Philadelphia—the city of brotherly love.

Undoubtedly, we hope that the valiant (Al-Nashama) will achieve honorable results and continue advancing in the tournament. Yet, what is more important than the results themselves is this wonderful sense of national belonging that we are experiencing. We support our national team in victory and defeat alike, because it represents all of us and embodies the image of our beloved homeland.

Another source of pride is what we are witnessing in the United States, where members of the Jordanian community are gathering with supporters arriving from Jordan. This community, whose migration began decades ago, is experiencing these days a renewed sense of national belonging. The chants are the same, the red keffiyeh unites everyone, and the Jordanian flags flutter proudly in the heart of American cities, bridging distances, dissolving differences, and affirming that the homeland lives in the people's hearts wherever they may be.

As I conclude these reflections, I recall what Pope Leo XIV said about football during the opening days of the tournament—words that apply to life as much as they do to the football field: “Football helps us remember something very important, namely life is not a race to be run alone. It is a game played as a team, and we must learn to run together. Someone who doesn’t know how to pass the ball, even if they have talent, harms their team. And someone who lives only for themselves has not yet understood what life is."

Perhaps this is the most inspiring lesson we can learn from football today, namely that life is played as one team. And Jordan, these days, appears at its best when it plays as one team and when its people—those who live at home and those who live abroad—support it with one heart. Numerous well-wishes are conveyed to our national team…