Palestine will have a slate of three- and possibly a four- games in the October window as it gears up for the start of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has revealed the slate of opponents that will take part in the 2023 Merdeka Cup. The four team tournament will feature the hosts as well as three opponents locked into Pot 3 for the upcoming Asian Cup finals- Palestine, Lebanon, and India.
The seeding of teams- announced earlier this month- was crucial in confirming these matches as many Asian nations were looking to avoid playing each other in friendlies only to be drawn in the same group at the finals. Although the three invitees cannot be drawn against each other at the Asian Cup Finals or Round 2 of FIFA World Cup qualifying they could still be drawn against Malaysia. It remains to be seen how the FAM would handle such a scenario.
Palestine’s record against this slate of opponents is particularly strong. Al-Fida’i have never lost to India (2-0-0), their last losses to Malaysia (3-0-1) and Lebanon (1-3-1) came over twenty years ago.
