Jordan defender Issam Smeeri will miss the nation's first-ever World Cup after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during individual training with the national team, the Jordan Football Association announced on May 15 [1, 2]. The 26-year-old's injury rules him out of the FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the US, Canada, and Mexico [1, 2].
Smeeri joins teammates Yazan Al-Naimat and Adham Al-Quraishi, who have also been sidelined due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries sustained while representing Jordan at the Arab Cup in December 2025 [1, 2]. These absences represent a significant blow to Jordan's defense ahead of their debut at the global tournament.
Jordan has been drawn into Group J, alongside Algeria, Austria, and defending champions Argentina [1, 2]. The team will face a challenging path in their first World Cup appearance without key defensive players.
The Football Association's announcement on May 15 confirmed Smeeri’s injury will prevent him from joining the squad for the June kickoff [1, 2]. The team now faces final preparations without three defenders who suffered serious knee and tendon injuries in recent months.
The World Cup is set to run from June 11 through July 19 across the three host nations in North America, marking a historic moment for Jordanian football [1, 2]. Jordan’s coaching staff must name replacements in the coming weeks as the nation prepares for its first matches against top-tier international competition.