This isn’t an early April Fool’s day joke. Jibril Rajoub has announced that he will formally submit the request to Mohammed Bin Hammam today in the Vietnamese capitol, Hanoi. The AFC is currently wrapping up an official two-day visit of the country.
While I have no doubt that Palestine, with its mild summer weather, two FIFA sanctioned stadiums (Al-Ram and Jericho), and great hospitality. Of course, I mean this theoretically.
It seems to me that Rajoub resides on another planet completely unaware of the occupation happening outside his front door. In order for this to happen Israel’s occupying authority would have to guarantee the safe passage of seven other national teams, guarantee them freedom of movement, agree not conduct any arbitrary military activity, and keep their uncontrollable settler vigilantes at bay.
If North Korea and Afghanistan qualify there will be the added headache of hosting two teams that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. The border crossing from Jordan (or alternatively, landing at Ben Gurion) could result in some serious diplomatic hijinks.
I would be shocked if this happens.
