Palestinian footballers drew 0-0 against Lebanon on Thursday in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Asia, their first meeting since the start of the war between Israel and the Hamas.
The match, played “at home” by Lebanon, was relocated following a sanction received by the Lebanese selection after incidents during a match in Beirut against Syria last year. Due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Palestine will play all its “home” matches away from its territory. She will face Australia in Kuwait next week. Before the start of the match, the 22 players gathered in the center of the field for a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the conflict.
Author of the third goal for Algeria, victorious 3-1 against Somalia in their qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup, striker Islam Slimani brandished a Palestinian flag in front of the public after scoring from a corner at the end meeting.