AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — The Palestinian national soccer team, after an intense qualifying journey comprising 16 games and facing numerous challenges, including the ongoing conflict in the region, fell short of securing a spot in the World Cup. This disappointment was palpable as players left the field in tears at the King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman on June 12, 2025. Their dream of making a historic first appearance at the World Cup was dashed by a controversial penalty awarded to Oman in the dying moments of the match. The match had been tightly contested, and the Palestinians were leading 1-0 deep into stoppage time.
Oday Dabbagh, the team’s star striker, expressed the deep pain of the players, stating, “It’s very hard. It was massive for us to get to the next stage — we prepared well, we had a positive atmosphere, and we had the fans with us. We gave everything, but it was gone in a moment.” The Palestinians, ranked No. 101 in the world, needed to win their last three Group B matches to advance. They managed to secure victories against Iraq and Kuwait earlier in the year, but the last-minute equalizer from Oman meant they finished one point behind them in the standings.
Following the match, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) lodged an official complaint with FIFA regarding the penalty decision, but this did not change the outcome of the game. Head coach Ihab Abujazar remarked on the significance of their journey, stating, “We tried to put smiles on the faces of Palestinians amid their great pain. The heroic players are our pride and glory, a symbol of all that is beautiful in the Palestinian nation.”
The Palestinian team, which became a member of FIFA in 1998, has faced numerous difficulties in hosting home matches due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, forcing them to play in Amman instead. Dabbagh noted that playing at home would have been preferable, but the circumstances compelled them to choose a location close enough for their supporters: “It is easier to play in your home. But the circumstances there are so difficult, so we choose to play in Amman as it is close to Palestine, the people are the same, and we have a lot of fans there.”
The war, which erupted in 2023, has had a devastating impact on Palestinian sports, halting domestic soccer and resulting in the deaths of hundreds of athletes among over 55,000 fatalities. Many sports facilities have also been destroyed. Dabbagh acknowledged the emotional toll of the situation, saying, “Everything that goes on makes us all sad. As players, we try to focus on football during the games, but we use what is happening as motivation to bring happiness to the people of Palestine.”
The national squad consists mostly of players contracted to foreign clubs, a significant change from the start of the conflict when many were unable to leave the West Bank or Gaza. In the past year, the team has held training camps in Algeria, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to prepare for World Cup qualifying.
Under the current World Cup qualifying format, the top two teams from three Asian groups secure direct spots for the event in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The subsequent playoff positions were available for the third and fourth places. The narrow draw against Oman denied the Palestinians the chance to claim the fourth position in the group, leading them to finish fifth.
Looking ahead, the Palestinian team is now focused on the 2027 Asian Cup, for which they have already qualified. Dabbagh expressed determination to continue making an impact in Asian soccer and to serve as representatives for millions of Palestinians: “We will keep using football as a message to show the world that there are other things in Palestine. We will keep going. The dream is not over; it is just delayed.”
