Following the culmination of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification draw the Palestine Football Association (PFA) shed light on how it plans to prepare ahead of a crucial double header against Lebanon and Australia in November.
Palestine will once again play two friendlies away from home. It will first face Oman in Muscat on September 6th before traveling to Vietnam to face one of the premier Southeast Asian teams on September 11th.
Kickoff times and exact locations have yet to be announced. Palestine has a 1-0-2 record against Oman beating them 2-1 at home during 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification. Their last match came during the short Julio Cesar Baldivieso era- an 85th minute goal delivered a 1-0 victory to the hosts.
Palestine have met Vietnam on one previous occasion at senior level. Palestine ran out 3-1 winners in a friendly in Hanoi in November 2014 with goals from Mahmoud Eid, Abdelhamid Abuhabib, and Hesham Salhe.
There was also confirmation of the team’s participation in the Merdeka Cup in October- meaning it is unlikely an Arab Cup will be held this year. Palestine will face two of Lebanon, India, and Malaysia depending on the draw and ensuing results.
The PFA also announced that there will be a preparatory camp held abroad ahead of the 2023 Asian Cup with a series of friendlies aimed at getting the team ready for the continental tournament. Uzbekistan has been confirmed as one of the teams that Palestine will face ahead of Qatar 2023.
