The Jordanians’ following of the matches of the “Al-Nashama” national team in the World Cup goes beyond sports and football, and constitutes a national phenomenon that transcends sub-identities, and also opens the door to issues related to revitalizing tourism and highlighting more of the Kingdom and its role.
Jordanians from all backgrounds and walks of life eagerly await the national team's football matches, amidst questions about the absence of unity and the failure to overcome past stereotypes. The answer to this question, according to parliamentarian Khalil Attieh, lies in building a national vision.
While affirming that the Jordanian national team is a “national unity” experience and needs motivation, support, and having all capabilities placed at its disposal regardless of the results, he calls for making national use of the feelings and attitudes that have formed in society.
Atieh: The unifying spirit that the Jordanian national team has fostered in society is a national step towards building a better future.
“The Jordanian national team has moved public opinion, the people, and the fans beyond sub-identities after the negatives of the clubs and the chants in the stands,” according to Attia, who considers this “a great national and strategic gain, and it must be built upon.”
He believes that “the unifying situation created by the Al-Nashama team in society is a national building step towards the future, showing once again that the Jordanian people are good and noble and can overcome any sensitivities as long as the achievement is being realized.”
Meanwhile, MP Saleh Armouti, head of the “Nation” party bloc, is looking forward to a surgical operation to rebuild “the unity of society,” after the theory of the difficulty of “uniting people” collapsed, and a contrary path emerged, as demonstrated by the rallying around the elected official.
Street Enthusiasm
Four Arab national teams—Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Qatar, and Egypt—managed to draw against very strong international teams, which raised the enthusiasm of Jordanians who, as Armouti put it, “entered their homes uninvited.” The only topic of conversation in the country now revolves around the national team’s matches and the mark it might leave at the World Cup.
While awaiting the achievements of the "Nashama" (Jordanian national team), one should not look to other aspects, as former Member of Parliament, Amjad Al-Maslamani, draws attention to the need to utilize Jordan's participation in the World Cup through the Nashama in promoting the tourism sector and highlighting the Kingdom and its role, and introducing the peoples of the world to the Nashama, their land and their people.
National symbol
In Jordan, the sale of red keffiyehs, considered the national head covering, became widespread. National team jerseys in the national colors were also sold extensively, and flags were displayed at homes, in the streets, and on cars.
In America, the Jordanian community formed a special national case, a phenomenon observed by the media, as Jordanians danced and performed dabke around hotels and stadiums and held artistic, cultural and folkloric evenings.
Fans on social media insisted that the goal was to advance to the next round among 8 teams.
Although the Moroccan national team coach, Jamal Sellami, had previously warned against putting pressure on the players, stating that the goal was enjoyment and learning, fans on social media insisted that the objective was to advance to the next round among the eight teams. Similarly, commentators emphasized that the Jordanian people are not satisfied with learning and enjoyment alone; they want goals scored, wins achieved, and draws secured in the matches.
After the Austria match, attention turns to the Jordanian national team and how it performs against two important teams, Argentina and Algeria.
Because the matches will be held in the early hours of the morning, Amman time, the government decided to extend the official working hours for public sector employees until 10:00 AM on the days the national team plays matches, to provide additional and free time to follow the matches.
The public is eager to watch these matches, as cafes are crowded, early breakfast meals are offered, flags are raised, and the national team's jerseys are worn in unprecedented numbers, indicating a popular phenomenon whose main theme is "the national team and football," but whose deep root is distinctly national, according to Attia, who believes that the opportunity to invest in this is everyone's responsibility, in both the private and public sectors.
