October 23 – Algeria have been barred from hosting Palestinian international matches in the wake of the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
Last week, the Algerians, long-time supporters of the Palestinian cause, agreed to a request by the Palestinian FA to play their internationals on Algerian soil and added they would cover all expenses.
Palestine are scheduled to start their 2026 World Cup campaign in the Asian section of qualifying next month. Their first qualifier, away to Lebanon on November 16, will be played in the United Arab Emirates. A ‘home’ match against Australia five days later looked set to be the first to be played in Algeria.
But the Algerian FA now says it has received a letter from both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation saying hosting all Palestinian games will not be permitted and that the Palestinian team had instead been instructed to play its matches “in its geographical area, namely the Asian continent, in accordance with the regulations in force”.
Algeria play in the African confederation (CAF).
Separately, the Algerian FA used strong language in deciding to suspend all its own games “in solidarity with the Palestinian people” who it described as “victims of the savage Zionist attacks committed in the Gaza sector against the populations in occupied Palestine.”
No venue has been announced for Palestine’s game against Australia.
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