Jordan's Historic FIFA World Cup Debut Boosts Tourism
Jordan is appearing on the world stage for the first time. After more than four decades of pursuit and 11 qualification campaigns, the Hashemite Kingdom has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — the nation’s first-ever World Cup appearance — and tourism authorities are using the moment to reach audiences that would not otherwise encounter Jordan as a destination.
The Jordanian tourism board has launched a global campaign timed to the tournament, connecting the excitement around the national team, known as Al-Nashama (The Brave Ones), to the country’s cultural and adventure travel offering. Amman, Petra, and Wadi Rum are the three anchors of the campaign, and each genuinely merits the attention.
Why now is a good time to visit Jordan
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office updated its Jordan travel advice on 3 June 2026, removing the advisory against all but essential travel to most of the country. Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and Amman are all in areas where the FCDO now advises standard travel awareness rather than heightened caution — a significant shift that removes a key barrier for British travellers who had deferred trips.
The US State Department maintains a Level 3 advisory, and airspace monitoring continues to flag the Amman FIR at a caution level due to regional activity. Short-notice airspace restrictions remain possible. Travellers should monitor conditions and purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers disruption.
What to plan
Amman works well as a base for the first two to three days of a Jordan trip: the Citadel, the Roman Theatre, and the souks of downtown (Al-Balad) can be done at a relaxed pace, with day-trip access to Jerash and the Dead Sea. From Amman, Petra is a four-hour drive south — or 45 minutes by flight via Royal Wings, Jordan’s domestic carrier.
Wadi Rum is most commonly reached from Petra as a two-night addition: staying in a Bedouin camp under a sky free of light pollution is one of the most distinctive overnight experiences in the Middle East.
The Jordan Pass remains the best-value entry structure for most visitors. It bundles the visa fee, Petra multi-day entry, and access to over 40 historical sites into a single prepurchased pass, typically saving travellers $50–80 compared with paying individually.
US citizens receive a visa on arrival. Royal Jordanian now flies nonstop to Amman from New York-JFK, Chicago, Washington DC, Detroit, Montreal, and Dallas-Fort Worth (the Dallas route launched in May 2026), improving direct access for North American visitors for whom Jordan’s World Cup moment is likely to spark first interest. Our flights to Jordan guide covers the full carrier landscape and typical fares by season. First-time visitors should also read our first-time Jordan guide for arrival logistics, the Jordan Pass, and how to structure a trip.