FIFA World Cup 2026: One dead, eight injured in stampede during WC screening in Amman
Amman, June 23
One person died while eight others were injured after a stampede broke out during a crowded public gathering in central Amman as fans watched Jordan's World Cup match against Algeria early Tuesday.
The Jordan News Agency reported, as per Reuters, citing the country's Public Security Directorate (PSD).
The incident took place at Hashemite Square, where large numbers of supporters had assembled in the capital to follow Jordan's 2-1 defeat to Algeria.
According to the report, emergency teams rushed nine injured people to the hospital after heavy congestion and sudden crowd movement led to a stampede-like situation. One of the injured later died, while the others sustained minor to moderate injuries.
Authorities said investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Large crowds had gathered across Amman to watch the match, as Jordan participated in its first World Cup campaign.
Meanwhile, Algeria kept their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout hopes alive with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Jordan in a Group J clash at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, which also ended Jordan's campaign after just two matches.
Both sides went into the contest desperate for a positive result after opening-match defeats, and while chances were limited in the early stages, Algeria gradually took control of possession.
For Jordan, the defeat confirmed elimination from the tournament in their maiden World Cup appearance after two straight losses.
In Group J of the FIFA World Cup 2026, defending champions Argentina lead the table after winning both their matches, collecting six points from two games with a goal difference of +5. Austria are second with three points from two matches, having won one and lost one, while Algeria are also on three points but sit third due to an inferior goal difference after one win and one defeat.
Jordan are bottom of the group with zero points from two losses and have been eliminated from the competition.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is so sad. Jordan was playing in their first World Cup ever, and the excitement was palpable. But the lack of proper security and crowd control turned celebration into tragedy. Reminds me of the chaos we sometimes see during IPL finals here. Hope the investigation brings accountability. 🙏
As an Indian who loves football, I feel this pain deeply. A fan died just because they wanted to watch their nation play on the biggest stage. This is a wake-up call for all countries hosting public screenings—whether it's in Amman, Mumbai, or London. Safety first, always. 🤦♂️
Truly heartbreaking. Having seen how India handles massive crowds during football matches or even at religious festivals, I know how quickly things can spiral out of control. The Jordan authorities need to implement better barriers, medical teams, and crowd flow management. One death is one too many.
Respectful criticism: It's shocking that a country hosting a major World Cup screening area didn't have proper crowd safety protocols. In India, we've learned from tragedies like the 2017 Elphinstone stampede, but it seems such lessons are not yet universal. Let's hope Jordan and others take note. No more lives should be lost to preventable disasters.
Such a poignant moment—Jordan's first World Cup ends in sorrow both on and off the pitch. As a fan of the beautiful game, I feel for the players too, who must be devastated that their campaign was overshadowed by this tragedy. Rest in peace to the fan who just wanted to support their team. 🇯🇴❤️
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