The Palestinian national team, currently ranked 101st in the FIFA rankings, is on the verge of achieving a historic milestone: advancing to the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. This Tuesday, the team will face Oman at the King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman, Jordan, in a decisive match that could keep their World Cup dream alive. A victory would qualify them for the final phase, where they would compete for a direct ticket to the World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Palestinian team comes into this match following a crucial 2-0 victory against Kuwait last Thursday, a result that earned them vital points in Group B of the third round of the Asian qualifiers. Currently, Palestine sits in fifth place in the group with 9 points, while Oman is fourth with 10 points, making this match a true final for both teams. The winner will advance to a phase where they will compete against the third and fourth-placed teams from other Asian groups for two direct World Cup spots.
Diplomatic frictions if the landscape remains unchanged
A hypothetical presence of Palestine in a World Cup partially hosted by the United States would be a sporting milestone but could also polarize public opinion and spark diplomatic tensions on a global scale. On one hand, it would be an opportunity for Palestine to project its national identity on a global stage, while on the other, it could provoke tensions with Israel and its allies, including the United States itself.
This situation would be further complicated if Israel also qualifies. Currently, Israel competes in UEFA qualifiers, where the competition is tougher due to the high level of European teams. Although Israel has not been a regular participant in World Cups historically, its qualification is not out of the question, especially with the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams. If both nations secure a spot in the World Cup, the event could become a highly sensitive political stage, given the historical support of the United States, under Donald Trump’s administration, for Israel and the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Visa challenges for Palestine?
Additionally, logistical issues, such as visa issuance for the Palestinian team, could become complicated in the current geopolitical context. If both Palestine and Israel participate, the tournament could become a space where sports and political rivalries intertwine, drawing global attention not only for football but also for its diplomatic implications.
Hopefully, by 2026, the conflict will have ended, and if one or both teams, Palestine and Israel, qualify, the matches will serve as a proclamation of peace and be remembered for that.
A competitive group and expanded World Cup slots
In sporting terms, Palestine’s Group B is led by South Korea and Jordan, who have already qualified, and is one of the most challenging in the Asian confederation. With the World Cup’s expansion to 48 teams, Asia now has 8 direct slots and 1 playoff spot, increasing the chances for teams like Palestine. Since joining FIFA in 1998, the team has never been this close to achieving such a significant milestone.
Despite challenges such as the inability to play on home soil due to political circumstances, Palestine has found in football a form of resistance and hope. The team trains and plays its home matches in Qatar, where they have received logistical and emotional support to continue their journey in the qualifiers.
“They ask us to fight for the children who are dying”
One of the team’s captains, Yaser Hamed, has emphasized the importance of representing Palestine at this historic moment. In an interview this week with ‘The Guardian,’ the defender expressed how the messages of support they receive from Gaza, a region devastated by conflict, serve as additional motivation for the team. “They ask us to fight for the children who are dying. We have the opportunity to raise our voice through football and represent Palestine in the best possible way.”
Match time
In November 2024, Oman defeated Palestine 1-0 in a match during the same qualifying phase. However, the Palestinian team has shown significant improvement in recent months, as evidenced by their victory against Kuwait. The match will take place this Tuesday at 8:15 PM local time (6:15 PM UTC) and will be broadcast live on platforms such as ESPN and APWin. Fans around the world can follow the game, aware that this could be a historic moment for Palestinian football.
