Arab Cup: Jordan Coach Salami 'The King Asked to Grant Me Citizenship'
Coach Jamal Salami reveals that King Abdullah II requested to grant him Jordanian citizenship after finishing as runner-up in the Arab Cup.
SUMMARY
Jamal Salami, coach of the Jordan national football team, revealed that King Abdullah II requested to grant him Jordanian citizenship in appreciation of his contributions after leading Jordan to its first-ever qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America following their runner-up finish in the Arab Cup.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- King Abdullah II requested to grant him Jordanian citizenship in appreciation of his contributions.
- Salami led Jordan to its first-ever qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
- Jordan lost the Arab Cup final to Morocco 3-2 after extra time.
- Salami plans to build a strong team and remains responsible for the national team.
CORE SUBJECT
Request for Jordanian citizenship by Jordan national team coach Jamal Salami after the Arab Cup
Doha (AFP) - Moroccan Jamal Salami, coach of the Jordan national football team, revealed that King Abdullah II requested to grant him Jordanian citizenship in appreciation of his contributions after leading the team to the runner-up position in the Arab Cup on Thursday in Doha.
Salami said at a press conference after losing to his home country Morocco 3-2 after extra time in the final match at Lusail Stadium in Doha, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince told me that His Majesty the King, his father, directly asked him that I be granted Jordanian citizenship."
Salami led Jordan for the first time in its history to qualify for the World Cup scheduled for next summer in North America.
Jordan was leading Morocco 2-1 until the 88th minute, when their opponent turned the tables and snatched the victory after extra time.
The 55-year-old coach added, "After we qualified for the World Cup, Prince Ali, the president of the federation, spoke with me and asked me to stay in Jordan responsible for the national team."
He continued, "I told him that I did not come to Jordan to achieve an accomplishment and then leave, but to build a team, and when I feel that my project is standing on its feet, I will ask him to let me go."
Salami took over coaching Jordan in mid-last year, succeeding his compatriot Hussein Ammouta, who resigned.
Salami, who was part of his country's squad as a player in the 1998 World Cup, won the African Nations Championship with the Moroccan national team in 2018, and the Moroccan league title with Raja Casablanca.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 8
Jamal Salami
👤 Person_MaleCoach of the Jordan national football team, Moroccan nationality
King Abdullah II
👤 Person_MaleKing of Jordan
Jordan
📍 Location_CountryCountry in the Middle East
Morocco
📍 Location_CountryCountry in North Africa
Prince Ali
👤 Person_MalePresident of the Jordan Football Association
Hussein Ammouta
👤 Person_MaleFormer coach of the Jordan national team
Arab Cup 2025
EventArab football tournament held in Doha
World Cup 2026
EventFIFA World Cup scheduled to be held in North America
NOTABLE QUOTES 3
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince told me that His Majesty the King, his father, directly asked him that I be granted Jordanian citizenship."
Context: Statement at a press conference after the 2025 Arab Cup final
"After we qualified for the World Cup, Prince Ali, the president of the federation, spoke with me and asked me to stay in Jordan responsible for the national team."
Context: Statement about continuing with the Jordanian national team
"I told him that I did not come to Jordan to achieve an accomplishment and then leave, but to build a team, and when I feel that my project is standing on its feet, I will ask him to let me go."
Context: Statement about his future vision with the Jordanian national team