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Palestine and 17 other Asian nations will find out their paths to the World Cup finals in North America next week when the draw for Round Three is conducted at the AFC house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Palestine clinched a place in the decisive phase of Asian World Cup qualification for the first time on the back of four clean sheets that generated eight points. Al-Fida’i’s accomplishment was all the more impressive given the suspension of league football in the country, a spate of injuries, and the ongoing war on Gaza which has prevented the team from hosting their home matches.
Palestine will be placed in Pot 5 and will not be drawn with China or Kyrgyz Republic. Pots are based on the latest FIFA Ranking which were released today. Football Palestine’s working assumption is that games will not be hosted in Palestine due to the war. It is our understanding that should the war end- international football will return to the Holy Land almost immediately.
Below are a list of opponents Palestine could face:
POT 1
Japan, Iran, Korea Republic
Record: 0W-2D-5L (3 GF, 22 GA)
Palestine has precious little experience playing against teams from Asia’s elite. They have never faced the Koreans at senior level and have only crossed paths with the Blue Samurai once- their Asian Cup debut in 2015 which ended in a 4-0 victory for the holders. Palestine were on the end of a 4-1 hiding at the hands of Team Melli this past January but they might prefer drawing Iran again and avoiding a trip to the other side of the continent.
POT 2
Australia, Qatar, Iraq
Record: 0W-5D-25L ( 11 GF ,64 GA)
Travel and logistics are a nightmare in Asian qualifying and to have to travel to the furthest possible opponent (not even on the Asian continent) and then track back and play another crucial game five days later. All the lower ranked hopefuls will be looking to avoid getting grouped with Australia as it will certainly mean the automatic qualifying spots will be taken by the World Cup perennials in the top two pots.
Palestine has never beaten Qatar in an official match but did get their first evern win as a FIFA member back in 1999 at the Pan Arab Games against Al-Anabi (not counted by FIFA). They also registered two other unofficial victories one way back in 1972 (7-2) and thirty years later at the West Asian Games (2-0 with a brace from Ziyad Al-Kord). On paper this should be the opponent Palestine hopes for as the majority of the nine losses in eleven official encounters have been by the odd goal.
That said, it could complicate the campaign as Qatar’s FA has provided Palestine with logistical support- flying the team on a private charter to Perth in their last qualifier and allowing Palestine to host their matches in the country.
Drawing Iraq would ensure a short away trip but a difficult environment in Basra. Palestine have never beaten Iraq- a team they have faced more than any other. Since 1998, the two sides faced off in 16 official encounters, Palestine have managed three draws- two of which came in qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup (1-1) and the 2007 AFC Asian Cup (2-2).
POT 3
Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Jordan
Record: 1W, 10D, 14L (15 GF, 49GA)
Pot three features Palestine’s bete nôire, Jordan. When the two teams face off it tends to end in a draw (5) or a blow out loss (there’s been a 1-4, and two 1-5 scorelines). Palestine have not beaten the Jordanians as a member of FIFA with Palestine’s last win coming nearly 50 years ago at the 1976 Pan Arab Games. This generation of players is itching to get one over their rivals and perhaps now would be the time to do it. Palestine played one of their best games under Makram Daboub against Jordan at the FIFA Arab Cup in 2021 but Khaled Salem spurned a host of chances in a game that also featured a disallowed equalizer before three goals in the final five minutes delivered yet another win to Jordan.
Palestine have faced Saudi Arabia during 2018 and 2022 World Cup qualification and have managed a pair of 0-0 draws. The teams also played out a draw at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup and at a friendly earlier this year.
Uzbekistan is the only opponent Palestine has beaten- recording a famous win five years ago to open their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign.
POT 4
UAE, Oman, Bahrain
Record: 6W, 4D, 8L (15 GF, 20 GA)
Palestine has an excellent record against Bahrain having registered four wins and a draw on eight occasions. Al-Fida’i’s last defeat to Al-Ahmar came back in 2012. For whatever reason, Palestine has always performed well against Bahrain- back in 2006 an upstart Palestine side beat Bahrain’s golden generation 2-0. Make no mistake, this is the team Palestine should want to face give their positive record, Bahrain’s ageing squad, and managerial upheaval.
Palestine also have a decent record against Oman. The two teams have split their competitive encounters, each winning a game during 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification. Palestine’s two losses in non-competitive encounters ended 2-1 in 2012 and 2023.
UAE represents the sternest test for Palestine but a record of 1-3-2 and the way Palestine dominated proceedings in January’s 1-1 Asain Cup draw should give Palestine confidence. That said, UAE has a more experienced manager (Paulo Bento) and a younger squad capable of handling the rigours of qualification.
POT 6
Korea DPR, Indonesia, Kuwait
Record: 1-2-9 (8GF, 26 GA)
A deceptive record given how few encounters have been played against the three teams. Palestine should hope to draw Kuwait who have been shambolic since their suspension from FIFA back in 2016. Kuwait failed to beat India in two encounters and one of their two wins came against an Afghanistan team in open revolt.
Kuwait would also eliminate a trip to the eastern part of the continent. The last time the two teams met in 2020 an all WBPL based side led by Noureddine Ould Ali registered a 1-0 win.
Korea DPR could be the team to avoid given how well they defend and the hostility teams encounter in Pyongyang.
Indonesia would be the second choice- playing in Jakarta would be tough but Palestine has the experience of playing there as recently as 12 months ago.
