The Palestinian national football team’s journey to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has brought hope and resilience to a country devastated by war. By advancing to the third round of the Asian qualifiers, Palestine has made significant progress in its footballing history. Their recent 0-0 draw against South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium was a hard-fought result, showing the team’s determination to overcome challenges both on and off the field.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israeli forces have killed more than 40,000 people and left many Palestinians displaced, the football team continues to inspire its nation. Many of the team members, including midfielder Mohammed Rashid, see their participation as representing not just themselves but every Palestinian at home and abroad. Amidst the destruction and loss of life, including the deaths of 410 athletes, the team has become a symbol of unity and defiance.
As they move through the qualifiers, the team faces the challenge of not being able to play their home matches in Palestine due to safety concerns. Nonetheless, their story has captivated the hearts of their countrymen, offering a brief moment of joy and hope amid the grim realities of war.
The Good
- Symbol of Hope: The Palestinian football team has become a powerful symbol of hope for a nation enduring the devastation of war. Their success on the field offers moments of respite and pride for Palestinians, particularly those in Gaza, who are living through a humanitarian crisis.
- Inspiring Resilience: The team’s determination to continue competing, despite the immense challenges they face both personally and collectively, is a testament to human resilience. Their story encourages people around the world to believe in the possibility of overcoming adversity, regardless of circumstances.
- International Support: The outpouring of support for Palestine from countries like South Korea, Malaysia, and other footballing nations highlights the global solidarity with the Palestinian people. This kind of international recognition not only strengthens Palestine’s standing in global sports but also brings attention to their plight on a larger stage.
- Promoting Unity: The team’s efforts serve to unite Palestinians from different regions, including those in refugee camps and in exile, by giving them something positive to rally behind. Football becomes more than just a sport; it is a source of national pride and togetherness.
- Positive Representation: By continuing to compete at the international level, the Palestinian team showcases their national identity and struggles, giving a voice to their people in a manner that transcends politics and violence.
The Bad
- Impact of War on the Team: The ongoing war has significantly impacted the Palestinian football team, both physically and emotionally. The death of 410 athletes, including 297 footballers, has weakened the country’s talent pool and created a sense of loss within the team. The emotional toll on the players, many of whom have lost family members, friends, or colleagues, makes it difficult to focus solely on football.
- Inability to Play at Home: Due to the war, Palestine is unable to host its home matches in their own country. Instead, they are forced to play in neutral venues like Malaysia. While this showcases international support, it denies the team the morale boost and home advantage that come from playing on home soil. The absence of home games is a major disadvantage in their World Cup qualification campaign.
- Physical Danger to Athletes: Palestinian athletes face physical danger from the ongoing Israeli strikes. Many young footballers, including children with aspirations of playing for the national team, have been killed or injured. This not only affects the immediate generation but also hampers the future of Palestinian football development.
- Long-Term Impact on Sports in Palestine: The destruction of infrastructure and loss of life will likely have long-term consequences for the development of sports in Palestine. The country’s inability to consistently develop talent and host international matches may weaken its position in future footballing competitions.
The Take
The story of the Palestinian national football team’s quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has become a symbol of hope, resilience, and defiance amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. For many, football is not just a sport but a lifeline, a way to temporarily escape the harsh realities of life under occupation and war. The team’s success in reaching the third round of the Asian qualifiers has brought joy to a people battered by years of violence and despair.
On September 5, 2024, Palestine faced off against South Korea in a highly anticipated match in Seoul, marking their first-ever appearance in the third round of World Cup qualifiers. Despite the intimidating atmosphere of the Seoul World Cup Stadium, known for its partisan crowd, the Palestinian team managed to hold their ground, securing a 0-0 draw. The result was largely thanks to the heroics of Palestinian goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh, whose stellar performance kept the South Korean attackers at bay. While the South Koreans were the pre-match favourites, Palestine almost pulled off a historic upset when a last-minute chance was thwarted by the South Korean goalkeeper, Jo Hyeon-woo.
For the Palestinian team, this was more than just a football match. The game was a reflection of the country’s struggle for survival and recognition. As war raged back home in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes had killed more than 40,000 people and wounded many more, the Palestinian players carried the hopes of an entire nation on their shoulders. Coach Makram Daboub and his team have embraced this role, understanding that their performances on the pitch offer brief moments of joy and pride to the people of Palestine.
Midfielder Mohammed Rashid encapsulated this sentiment in a pre-match interview when he said, “They [the Israeli forces] try to kill our dreams, but we will not let them stand in our way. We can never stop dreaming.” Rashid’s words echo the sentiments of many Palestinians, who see the football team’s success as a form of resistance against the ongoing violence and oppression. For the players, representing Palestine on the international stage is not just about football; it is about giving voice to their people and showing the world that they refuse to be silenced.
However, the war has taken a toll on the team, both emotionally and physically. The Palestine Football Association (PFA) reported that 410 athletes, sports officials, and coaches had been killed since the start of the conflict, including 297 footballers. The loss of these athletes, many of whom were children with dreams of playing for the national team, has deeply affected the players. Rashid, like many of his teammates, admitted that the constant barrage of news about the war made it difficult to focus on football. To cope, he avoids watching the news in the days leading up to a match.
The emotional toll on the team is compounded by the fact that they are unable to play their home matches in Palestine. Due to security concerns, the PFA has been forced to find neutral venues for their home games. Malaysia, a staunch ally of Palestine, has offered to host several of their matches, including a crucial tie against Jordan. While the Palestinian team is grateful for the support from Malaysia and other nations, playing in front of a home crowd would have provided a much-needed morale boost.
Despite these challenges, the Palestinian football team remains determined to fulfil their dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Their group in the third round of the Asian qualifiers includes footballing powerhouses like South Korea, Jordan, Iraq, Oman, and Kuwait. FIFA’s rankings place Palestine at 96th in the world, significantly behind some of their opponents. However, the team remains optimistic about their chances of finishing third or fourth in the group and advancing to the next round of qualifiers.
For the people of Palestine, the team’s journey represents more than just football. It is a source of hope, a brief respite from the daily struggles of life under occupation and war. The PFA’s Deputy General Secretary, Sami Abu Al Hussein, summed up the significance of the team’s success when he recounted how he had to separate his children to avoid losing them both in an Israeli strike. Despite the war, Al Hussein and many others remain invested in the team’s progress, viewing their achievements as a symbol of the resilience and strength of the Palestinian people.
As the qualifiers continue, the Palestinian football team will continue to carry the hopes of their nation with them. Their story is one of perseverance in the face of unimaginable odds, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can find ways to endure.
