Jordan

A small but scrappy Middle Eastern nation that has never qualified for a World Cup, Jordan pulled off one of the biggest surprises in Asian soccer by reaching the final of the 2023 Asian Cup — proof they're no longer just making up the numbers. They came agonizingly close to punching their ticket to the 2026 tournament, falling just short in the final rounds of Asian qualification, which stung given how far they've come as a program. If they do find a way in, keep an eye on whether their hard-working, team-first style can cause headaches for bigger, more fancied nations who might not take them seriously.