World Cup 2026: Jordan in a 3-4-2-1 against Petkovic’s Algeria 4-3-3

Jordan line up with a three-man defence anchored by Abdallah Nasib, Yazan Al-Arab and Husam Ali Mohammad Abudahab, with a four-man diamond midfield led by Noor Al-Rawabdeh and Nizar Al-Rashdan, supported further forward by Mousa Tamari, Ali Olwan and Mahmoud Al-Mardi, in a 3-4-2-1 tactical setup adopted by head coach Jamal Sellami. This organisation is designed to pack the midfield to counter Algeria’s strength and prioritise quick releases down the wings.

For their part, Vladimir Petkovic’s Fennecs opt for a traditional 4-3-3 with goalkeeper Luca Zidane between the posts. The defensive line features Rafik Belghali, Aïssa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini and Rayan Aït-Nouri. The midfield trio is made up of Hicham Boudaoui, Ramiz Zerrouki and Ibrahim Maza, while the attack relies on Riyad Mahrez, Amine Gouiri and Farès Chaïbi. Algeria are banking on defensive solidity combined with the technical quality of their midfielders and Mahrez’s attacking creativity in support of Gouiri and Chaïbi.

Jordan lineup analysis

Jordan present a 3-4-2-1 system that will demand significant defensive work from their midfielders and forwards. Yazeed Abu Laila starts in goal, protected by a three-man defence with Abdallah Nasib on the right side, Yazan Al-Arab in the centre and Husam Ali Mohammad Abudahab on the left. The packed midfield will be organised around Noor Al-Rawabdeh on the right, Nizar Al-Rashdan on the left, and Ehsan Haddad and Mohannad Abu Taha in more central roles. Mousa Tamari and Ali Olwan will take up the advanced playmaking roles, supporting the central striker, Mahmoud Al-Mardi.

Head coach Jamal Sellami has chosen this setup to consolidate the middle lines and encourage quick transitions forward. The presence of players such as Noor Al-Rawabdeh and Mousa Tamari underlines the attacking ambition despite a fairly cautious defensive configuration with a back three.

Algeria lineup analysis

Algeria opt for a classic 4-3-3 under Vladimir Petkovic. In defence, Rafik Belghali starts on the right, Aïssa Mandi and Ramy Bensebaini in the centre, and Rayan Aït-Nouri on the left flank. The midfield is structured around Hicham Boudaoui, Ramiz Zerrouki and Ibrahim Maza, balancing defensive cover and attacking support. The attack is led by Riyad Mahrez, Amine Gouiri and Farès Chaïbi, with Mahrez as the right-sided wide playmaker and Gouiri as the central striker.

Petkovic is relying on the experience of his defenders and the creativity of his midfielders to control the middle of the pitch, while giving his wingers considerable freedom to unsettle the opposition defence. The 4-3-3 system allows for a flexible approach, with mobile players capable of adapting to the defensive and attacking phases of the match.