Amid Israel’s war on Gaza, Palestine dares to dream of FIFA World Cup 2026
Al Jazeera
In their quest for success on the football pitch, Palestine bring hope and smiles to the people ravaged by war.
The Seoul World Cup Stadium can be one of the most partisan and intimidating football arenas in Asia. The unwavering devotion – bordering on obsession – of the South Korean fans can make the biggest teams feel uncomfortable in this cauldron.
On Thursday, though, the home fans proudly displayed flags, scarves and banners in support of South Korea’s opponents – Palestine.
Amid a sea of red shirts, reflecting the colour of the home team’s kit, large pockets of the 66,000-capacity stadium unfurled flags and displayed supportive messages for the visiting team.
The poignant atmosphere set the scene for Palestine’s first ever match in the third round of qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
It was a night to remember on the pitch too as coach Makram Daboub’s side walked away with a deserved and invaluable point after a 0-0 draw against the giants of Asian football, thanks to Rami Hamadeh’s imperious goalkeeping and South Korea’s errant finishing.
