World Cup 2026: 'Messi of Jordan' Carries the Dreams of an Entire Nation

The player known as "the Messi of Jordan" is not only the brightest star of the national team but also the greatest hope for this Middle Eastern nation as it makes its debut on the world's biggest football stage.

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in the Middle East, the 2026 World Cup marks a historic milestone for Jordanian football after decades of waiting. In the journey to secure a spot in North America, Al Tamari played a particularly crucial role. During Asian qualifiers in March 2025, the winger contributed to all three goals in a 3-1 victory over Palestine—a match that helped Jordan surpass Iraq and gain an edge in the race for World Cup qualification. About three months later, Jordan defeated Oman 3-0 to earn its first-ever World Cup berth, with Al Tamari again being one of the standout performers.

Born in the capital Amman to a family of Palestinian origin, Al Tamari has long been a beloved figure in Jordan. Beyond his football talent, he is also known as a devout Muslim who has memorized the entire Quran and spent years teaching children to recite it at Al Saliheen Mosque. This is why fans have given him the nickname "Sheikh Mousa."

His passion for football took Al Tamari from local club Shabab Al Ordon to the European stage. After making his Jordan national team debut in 2016, he moved to Cyprus's APOEL, where he quickly made a name for himself. His outstanding performances earned him the title of Cyprus Championship Best Player, and fans began calling him "Messi of Jordan."

After stints in Cyprus and Belgium with OH Leuven, Al Tamari made history in 2023 by joining French club Montpellier, becoming the first Jordanian player to compete in one of Europe's top five leagues. In only his second match in Ligue 1, he scored a brace against Lyon, immediately impressing the experts.

In early 2025, Rennes spent €9 million (about $10.4 million) to sign Al Tamari. During the 2025-2026 season, he scored four goals and provided five assists, establishing himself as one of the most effective attackers in the French club. One of his most memorable performances came in February when he opened the scoring with a brilliant dribble and finish in a 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

On the international stage, Al Tamari continued to prove his class at the 2024 Asian Cup. He was a key figure in helping Jordan reach the final for the first time, following a 2-0 semifinal win over South Korea. Although they lost to Qatar in the title match, the tournament elevated Al Tamari's reputation far beyond the Middle East.

Entering the 2026 World Cup, Jordan faces considerable challenges as several key attacking players are injured. In this context, the responsibility of leading the team falls on Al Tamari's shoulders. With his speed, technique, and top-level European experience, the "Messi of Jordan" is expected to help his country spring surprises in their first-ever World Cup.

From a boy growing up in Amman dreaming of playing in Europe to becoming the top star of Jordanian football, Al Tamari now stands before the greatest opportunity of his career: shining on the World Cup stage and writing a new chapter in his nation's football history.