Jordan return home to royal praise after Arab Cup runners-up finish

Jordan’s national football team returned home on Friday after finishing second at the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar. (Jordan News Agency)
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Updated 19 December 2025
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Jordan return home to royal praise after Arab Cup runners-up finish

  • The Nashama were beaten 3-2 by Morocco in a pulsating final at the Lusail Stadium on Thursday

AMMAN: Jordan’s national football team returned home on Friday after finishing second at the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar, the Jordan News Agency reported.

The Nashama were beaten 3-2 by Morocco in a pulsating final at the Lusail Stadium on Thursday.

King Abdullah II expressed pride in the national team and its supporters, saying they embodied the unity and solidarity of the Jordanian people and presented a positive image of the Kingdom, JNA added.

“We saw Jordanians united as one, a team and fans reflecting all that is beautiful in this nation,” the king wrote on the X platform.

“Authenticity, resilience and love are traits that the Jordanian people identify with in the national team. We are all proud of you and your achievements, and Jordan is fortunate to have you as our players,” he added.

The king also congratulated Morocco on winning the title and thanked Qatar for hosting the tournament, adding: “Thank God you returned safely. You have illuminated your homeland. Congratulations to Morocco, and thank you to Doha for bringing together our Arab brothers.”

Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah also praised the national team, commending the efforts of the players, as well as the staff and all those who contributed to the development of football in Jordan over the years.

In a post on Instagram, the crown prince highlighted the ongoing support of his uncle, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, to Jordanian football, and expressed gratitude to the team’s supporters.

“I extend my sincere thanks to the national team players, to my uncle Prince Ali bin Al Hussein for his continued support of the team, to the technical and administrative staff for their efforts, and to everyone who has contributed to advancing Jordanian football,” he wrote.

“My heartfelt appreciation also goes to our loyal fans for their presence and unwavering support for the Nashama,” he added.


Three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka to retire in 2026

Updated 58 min 58 sec ago
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Three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka to retire in 2026

  • “It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player. 2026 will be my last year on tour,” Wawrinka posted Friday
  • His 582 tour-level wins are fourth most among active players

PARIS: Stan Wawrinka says the 2026 season will be his last as the three-time Grand Slam singles champion aims to finish his career “on the best note possible.”
“Every book needs an ending. It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player. 2026 will be my last year on tour,” Wawrinka posted Friday on social media.
Wawrinka, who turns 41 in March, won the Australian Open in 2014, the French Open a year later and the US Open in 2016, at a time when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were dominating men’s tennis.


He has 16 career ATP titles although the last came in Geneva in 2017.
Wawrinka reached a high of third in the world in 2014, but he has struggled with injuries in past years and is now ranked 157th.
His 582 tour-level wins are fourth most among active players, just behind Gael Monfils, who also plans to retire at the end of next year.
Wawrinka won Olympic gold in doubles alongside Federer at Beijing in 2008 and helped deliver a first Davis Cup triumph for Switzerland in 2014.
He is due to begin his final season in Perth at the United Cup, which starts on January 2.