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Football Palestine has learned that the exemption used by clubs to sign Palestinian players in the Qatari and Libyan leagues will not be renewed for the 2025/26 season.
Libya has been a popular destination for dozens of Palestinian players who signed for clubs in the top two tiers of the country. While the focus is on the likes of national team stars, many second tier sides looked to less heralded names who cut their teeth in the West Bank Premier League to bolster their rosters.
Over 30 Palestinian players play in the Libyan second tier while the topflight is home to several national team players including Zaid Qunbar, Odai Kharoub, Tamer Seyam, Mahmoud Abu Warda, Mohammed Khalil, and Camilo Saldaña.
The Libyan Premier League allowed for Palestinian and Sudanese players to be treated as locals. As a result teams were allowed to field two players from those respective countries in addition to two North African players (hailing from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt), and three foreigners.
Qatar overhauls its roster regulations
Starting in 2025/26 Qataro clubs in the top flight will be allowed five foreigners plus three North Africans meaning any Palestinian who signs will occupy a foreign player slot.
In Qatar, the foreign player limits are set to be increased. Clubs could previously field only five foreign players and an additional two developmental talents (U23). Exempted Palestinian players did not take up any of those slots.
From 2025/26 season teams will be able to register ten foreigners total. This solves the conundrum faced by most clubs who signed foreigners solely for their continental obligations. Five foreign players will be allowed on the pitch at any given time provided one of them is a developmental talent.
Each club in the Stars League will have 28 roster spots to fill and will have to abide by certain financial regulations. A minimum salary of $65,000 will be set for local players. Those that represent Qatar internationally will also have their salaries capped. Players with at least ten caps to their name will not be able to earn more than $740,000 per annum. Players with at least 50 caps can earn a maximum of $1.2 Million.
Rules governing the second division have yet to be announced.
