Can Venezuela’s new generation spoil Jordan’s home test? Prediction for Jordan vs Venezuela — 06.10.2026
Jordan and Venezuela will meet in an international friendly on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 local time. For Jordan, the match forms part of their preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, while Venezuela continue to reshape their squad under Oswaldo Vizcarrondo.
Jordan: a new coach, familiar attacking leaders
Jordan are still adapting to life under Badou Zaki, who took charge in July after Jamal Sellami stepped down following the World Cup. The former Morocco coach signed a one-year contract, with the main objective of preparing the Nashama for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Zaki's first recent home test ended in a 1-1 draw against Syria on September 27. Ali Olwan opened the scoring in the first half, but Jordan were unable to protect their lead. Mousa Al-Taamari and Odeh Fakhoury completed the front three, with Noor Al-Rawabdeh and Nizar Al-Rashdan operating in midfield.
The broader form remains a concern. Jordan are winless in their last five matches, drawing with Syria after defeats to Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Colombia. They have scored in four consecutive games, but they have also conceded in each of those matches and have not kept a clean sheet during this sequence.
There is also a forced change in goal. Alec Smir, who started against Syria, has left the camp after medical examinations revealed a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his knee. That should open the door for the experienced Yazeed Abulaila.
Jordan still possess enough attacking quality to cause Venezuela problems. Al-Taamari remains their most dangerous individual weapon, while Olwan arrives after scoring against Syria. Playing in Amman should also encourage Zaki's side to be more proactive than they were against stronger opponents at the World Cup.
Venezuela: Vizcarrondo continues the generational change
Venezuela arrive with a very different-looking squad. Oswaldo Vizcarrondo has continued his policy of rejuvenation and left Salomón Rondón, Yeferson Soteldo and Jefferson Savarino out of this international window. Keiber Lamadrid is absent through injury, while the 34-man squad includes younger players such as Kevin Kelsy, Gleiker Mendoza and Marco Libra.
The visitors still have plenty of established quality. Jon Aramburu and Nahuel Ferraresi provide experience in defense, while Yangel Herrera and Cristian Cásseres Jr. give Vizcarrondo a technically strong and combative midfield.
Venezuela's most recent performance was encouraging. On October 2, they held South Korea to a 0-0 draw in Ulsan. The Vinotinto registered 12 attempts and four shots on target, while Vizcarrondo used a 4-4-2 with Kelsy and Jesús Ramírez up front.
That result continued a relatively solid defensive trend. Venezuela have kept clean sheets against South Korea, Iraq and Uzbekistan in three of their last five matches. Their other two games in that run were narrow 2-1 defeats against Japan and Turkey.
Probable lineups
- Jordan: Yazeed Abulaila; Ehsan Haddad, Yazan Al-Arab, Hadi Al-Hourani, Mohannad Abu Taha; Mahmoud Shawkat, Noor Al-Rawabdeh, Nizar Al-Rashdan; Mousa Al-Taamari, Ali Olwan, Odeh Fakhoury.
- Venezuela: José Contreras; Jon Aramburu, Nahuel Ferraresi, Teo Quintero, Luís Balbo; Delvin Alfonzo, Yangel Herrera, Cristian Cásseres Jr., Gleiker Mendoza; Kevin Kelsy, Jesús Ramírez.
Match facts
- Jordan have not won any of their last five matches.
- Jordan have scored in four consecutive games but conceded in all five of their latest fixtures.
- Venezuela have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches.
- Venezuela held South Korea to a goalless draw in their latest outing.
- Jordan and Venezuela have no previous senior head-to-head meetings on record.
Venezuela's defensive stability could make the difference
This should be a much more balanced game than Jordan's World Cup meetings with Argentina, Algeria and Austria. The hosts have Al-Taamari and Olwan to threaten in transition, and the atmosphere in Amman gives them an additional advantage.
However, Jordan's defensive numbers remain difficult to ignore. Zaki has only recently started rebuilding the team, his side are still searching for a first victory in this new phase, and the injury to Smir forces another change at the back.
Venezuela are also rebuilding, but Vizcarrondo's team currently look more settled defensively. They have conceded only four goals across their last five matches in regulation time and showed against South Korea that they can remain compact while still creating opportunities. Even without Rondón, Soteldo and Savarino, players such as Herrera, Cásseres, Aramburu and Kelsy give the visitors enough quality to punish Jordan if the hosts leave spaces.
The match could remain tight for long periods, but Venezuela's defensive structure and greater stability make the away victory an attractive option.
Prediction: Venezuela to win.
