Amid the challenges posed by the Israeli-Palestinian battle, Palestine’s nationwide soccer crew initiates their quest for a spot within the subsequent section of Asia’s 2026 World Cup preliminaries in Sharjah on Thursday, going through off in opposition to Lebanon at a impartial venue.
Thursday’s opener had initially been scheduled to be performed in Beirut earlier than Palestine had been set to host Australia the next week, however Israel’s response to Hamas’ incursion on Oct. 7 pressured officers to search out new venues.
Lebanon and Palestine will meet on the Khalid bin Mohammed Stadium within the United Arab Emirates earlier than the Palestinians, who often host video games at Al-Ram’s Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium on the West Bank, tackle Australia in Kuwait on Nov. 21.
Graham Arnold’s Socceroos will host Bangladesh in Melbourne earlier than going through Palestine.
This week’s matches mark the beginning of the second section of the continent’s qualifiers for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup, when Asia may have eight assured berths, plus a potential ninth obtainable via an intercontinental playoff.
The prime two finishers in every of the 9 teams advance to the third section, which is scheduled to kick off subsequent September.
Japan faces Myanmar in Osaka in Group B, which additionally options Syria and North Korea, whereas South Korea face Singapore in Group C, with Thailand taking up China within the different group fixture.
Iran kick off their quest for a seventh World Cup look in opposition to Hong Kong in Group E, the place Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan additionally characteristic.
Saudi Arabia’s problem begins in Group G in opposition to Pakistan, who’ve certified for the second section of Asia’s preliminaries for the primary time, with Tajikistan taking up Jordan.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
