Spanish footballer Iker Casillas visits Jordan's Petra

Spanish goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas visited the ancient city of Petra this week, marking the second day of his stay in Jordan as part of a major initiative to scout and develop young football talent.

Casillas arrived in Amman to participate in the fourth edition of the IRIS International Sports Academy's challenges, an event titled “The Iker Casillas Challenge,” which aims to identify and nurture promising football players across the Kingdom.

Joining him on the visit is former Real Madrid teammate Míchel Salgado. The duo will oversee the final stage of player selection during an interactive sporting event designed to spotlight emerging football talent in Jordan.

The final round, set to take place on Tuesday, May 13, will feature 24 players—narrowed down from more than 8,000 participants born in 2012, 2013, and 2014—who were selected through preliminary qualifiers held across the country. Those chosen will earn the opportunity to represent Jordan in an international tournament in Spain.

Louay Shomaly, the founder of IRIS, told Roya Sports that the presence of global football icons like Casillas significantly boosts Jordan’s profile as both a sporting and tourism destination. He noted that the academy has been committed since its inception to discovering and supporting young footballers from all Jordanian governorates.

“This year’s program builds on the successes of previous editions. We’ve already seen many young players rise through the ranks thanks to this initiative,” Shomaly said. “It’s also an important platform for showcasing Jordan’s potential on the international stage.”

He also expressed his gratitude to all sponsors and supporters, reaffirming the academy’s ongoing mission to invest in youth and provide pathways for them to excel in global competitions.

The Iker Casillas Challenge is now seen as one of the most impactful youth sports programs in the region, drawing increasing attention from both local and regional football communities.