Penalty ends Palestinian WC hope; team leaves lasting impact

Palestinian National team stopped from qualifying in World Cup football by a penalty in Amman. Photo AP.

A dramatic and emotionally charged World Cup qualifying journey for Palestine came to a heartbreaking conclusion last Thursday in Amman, when a late penalty decision shattered their dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite the setback, the legacy of this team remains a powerful symbol of hope and pride.

The Palestinian national team, led by forward Oday Dabbagh, walked off the pitch in tears after a controversial penalty awarded in stoppage time led to a 1-1 draw against Oman—eliminating them from contention. The game, held at King Abdullah II Stadium, had seen Palestine leading until the dying seconds.

“It’s incredibly painful,” Dabbagh told the Associated Press. “We gave everything. We were well-prepared, had great team spirit, and strong support. But in a moment, it was all gone.”

Ranked 101st in the world, Palestine had to win their final three matches in Group B to qualify for the Asian playoffs that offer a route to the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. They had already defeated Iraq in Basra in March and Kuwait in Kuwait City on June 5. Against Oman, they were on course for a vital win until the penalty deep into stoppage time.

In response, the Palestine Football Association filed a formal complaint with FIFA over the decision, although it had no impact on the outcome.

Palestine’s head coach Ihab Abujazar praised his squad’s spirit: “These players are heroes. They have brought pride to our nation and have been a bright light for Palestinians in difficult times.”

Challenges beyond football

Due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Palestine has not hosted any home matches during the third round of qualifying. Instead, the team played in Amman, which has a large Palestinian community.

“Playing at home makes a huge difference,” said Dabbagh, who recently helped Aberdeen win the Scottish Cup. “But given the situation, Amman is the closest thing to home—it’s nearby, and our supporters are here.”

Since the war escalated in 2023, domestic football in Palestinian territories has come to a standstill. Thousands have died, including hundreds of athletes, and several sports facilities have been damaged or destroyed.

“As players, we try to stay focused during games,” Dabbagh said. “But what’s happening back home motivates us to bring some happiness to our people.”

Currently, 25 of the 27 players in the national squad play for clubs abroad, mostly in the Middle East and Europe. This marks a significant shift from earlier in the conflict when some players were unable to leave Gaza or the West Bank.

Over the past year, the squad held training camps in Algeria, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to prepare for the qualifiers.

Had they beaten Oman, Palestine would have secured fourth place in Group B and advanced to the playoff round. Instead, the draw left them fifth, one point short.

Looking ahead

With the World Cup dream now out of reach, attention turns to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, for which Palestine has already qualified.

Dabbagh emphasized the team’s commitment to continuing their mission: “Football remains our way of sending a message to the world about Palestine. The dream isn’t over—it’s just postponed.” - UNB