Jordan’s royal family has crowned itself the most soccer-obsessed in the World Cup. Last week, Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa watched from the stands as Jordan’s national team made its debut against Austria. Decked out in the team’s jersey, they cheered on the squad, and now the couple has been spotted alongside King Abdullah at the highly anticipated second-round match, where the Hashemite Kingdom’s team took on Algeria at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
A historic run
The match between Jordan and Algeria ended in a 2-1 win for the North African side, in an emotional, hard-fought contest.
Jordan’s run at this World Cup is already a milestone: it’s the country’s first time ever competing in a World Cup tournament, after decades of failing to qualify. Jordan clinched its spot on June 5, 2025, with a win over Oman, helped along by other results in the Asian qualifying rounds. The achievement has sparked joy and excitement back home, which is why the country’s top royals made a point of showing up for the team in person.
Queen Rania sits this one out
© @Royal Hashemite CourtThis time, King Abdullah attended without Queen Rania by his side, but he didn’t show up empty-handed: he wore a Jordan jersey for the occasion.
Also in the stands was the youngest of his four children, 21-year-old Prince Hashem, who had also joined his brother and sister-in-law at the opening match. The king’s jersey bore the number 99 and the word “Al-Nashama,” an Arabic term in Jordanian culture that roughly translates to “the brave ones,” “the chivalrous,” “the noble,” or “the men of honor.” In Jordan, the word describes someone honest, courageous, and always willing to help others, capturing the values at the heart of Jordanian national identity.
Prince Hussein’s words of encouragement
© @Royal Hashemite CourtDespite the loss, Crown Prince Hussein headed down to the locker room to lift the spirits of the Jordanian players after their strong showing on the field. “We love you and we appreciate your effort, and we know how much you care about making Jordanians proud. You did a great job, you brave ones… Congratulations to Algeria. We’re proud of our national team and grateful for everything you gave out there, and we know how badly you wanted Jordanians to feel proud,” he wrote on social media.
Little Iman steals the show
© @alhusseinjoLittle Iman, who turns 2 on August 3, joined her parents, her uncle, and her grandfather on this soccer adventure.
Dressed in the national team’s jersey and sporting two pigtails, she looked as charming as ever, bouncing between Mom’s and Dad’s arms. She also delighted her grandfather, who couldn’t stop smiling at her. Footage of her sipping her bottle beside her mother at one of the box’s couches will forever be memorialized as some of the sweetest World Cup moments.
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