Jordan's journey from Harry Redknapp to date with Messi

Jordan's journey from Harry Redknapp to date with MessiImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jordan won eight of their 16 qualification games, drawing five and losing three to reach their first World CupByEmma SmithBBC Sport journalistPublished2 minutes agoCommentsWhen they face world champions Argentina in their final group match on 27 June, it may be Jordan's own World Cup final.But it will also be the deserved destination after decades of dreams, changing strategies, near misses and surprising managerial appointments – including two English football stalwarts.Jordan are one of four nations making their debut at the 2026 World Cup, with the country mad about football but lacking the success to match.Their tournament begins against Austria (Wednesday 05:00 BST, live on the BBC) and could culminate against Argentina - Lionel Messi et al - unless they cause a surprise by reaching the knockout stage.This first appearance on football's biggest stage has been a long time coming."In my childhood, I was brought up with the fact that Jordan is a home of football talent," Mustafa Arqawi, former communications director for the Jordan Football Association, told BBC Sport."It was talent that I used to see every day in schoolyards, alleyways and streets."Like almost every Jordanian citizen, I grew up with an unequivocal passion and a dream for our national team to compete at the top level."After gaining independence from the United Kingdom following World War Two, Jordan played their first international football match in 1953 – a 3-1 defeat to Syria.However, they did not enter World Cup qualifying until attempting to reach the 1986 tournament. They beat Qatar 1-0 at home for their first qualifying win but lost their other three matches and missed out.Until this year, the closest Jordan came to qualifying for the World Cup finals was in 2014. They fought their way through the byzantine Asian Football Confederation system, including two...