November 5 – The head of Palestinian football has praised his team’s efforts to qualify for their first ever World Cup despite unrelenting restrictions placed on the squad.
Palestine have drawn two and lost two of their four Asian group qualifiers to date including a highly creditable 0-0 draw in Seoul against South Korea in their opener in September.
The Palestinians, who can’t play on home soil, renew their campaign against Oman in Muscat on November 14 before “hosting” South Korea five days later.
“The suffocating policies by the Israelis have paralysed everything,” PFA President Jibril Rajoub told Reuters.
“We suspended everything, including the national league, but in spite of this we have insisted on continuing our participation in competitions, and that includes the World Cup qualification.”
“We have a real problem because we could not bring any athletes from Gaza, and tens of them have lost their lives. In Gaza all sport facilities have been destroyed, including most of the clubs, the stadiums and everything are destroyed.
“In the West Bank, they are suffocating us, we cannot do anything. But this is our determination, our commitment.”
While securing a direct spot in the 2026 finals is unrealistic, Palestine could advance to another round of playoffs with a third- or fourth-placed finish in their group. Although they sit bottom they are only a point behind fourth-placed Oman.
“I think they are doing well,” Rajoub said of the team. “This is the first time in our history we have qualified for the third phase in spite of the situation. We don’t have a national league so it’s not easy. Some athletes have lost their lives or their colleagues or mentors or coaches. This also, psychologically, will have an effect but despite this we are trying and playing well.”
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