The Voice News: Palestine’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a heartbreaking end last Thursday in Amman, where a controversial late penalty saw their journey conclude with a 1-1 draw against Oman. But while the result ended their qualifying run, the impact of the team’s inspiring campaign continues to resonate far beyond the pitch.The decisive match, held at King Abdullah II Stadium, was intense and emotional. With Palestine leading into stoppage time, a disputed penalty call shifted the outcome, sending shockwaves through the team and their supporters. Tears streamed down the faces of players like star forward Oday Dabbagh, who had led Palestine through one of its most promising qualifying runs in history.“It’s a devastating feeling,” Dabbagh told the Associated Press. “We gave everything—our preparation, our unity, our passion. To have it slip away in a single moment is unbearable.”Ranked 101st globally, Palestine entered their final three Group B qualifiers needing a perfect record to advance to the Asian playoffs. They had already stunned Iraq in Basra and edged past Kuwait in Kuwait City. Victory over Oman would have sealed their playoff spot—but the controversial penalty crushed that path, leaving them one point short in fifth place.The Palestine Football Association filed a formal complaint to FIFA over the decision, but the result stood.Still, the team earned widespread praise. Head coach Ihab Abujazar lauded his players’ resolve: “They are national heroes. They carried the hopes of an entire people and brought light in very dark times.”Football Amid War and LossPalestine’s campaign unfolded under extraordinary circumstances. Since the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023, the team has been unable to host home matches. Instead, they made Amman—home to a large Palestinian diaspora—their temporary base.“Home matches matter,” said Dabbagh, who recently lifted the Scottish Cup with Aberdeen. “But Amman gave us the next best thing—proximity and passionate support.”The war has devastated Palestinian sports infrastructure, claiming thousands of lives, including hundreds of athletes, and leaving stadiums and facilities in ruins. Domestic football has ground to a halt.“Still, we play on,” said Dabbagh. “For those who can’t. For our people. For our future.”Most of the current squad—25 of 27 players—now play for clubs abroad, a stark contrast to earlier phases of the conflict when movement out of Gaza and the West Bank was nearly impossible. The team trained in Algeria, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia over the past year, navigating immense logistical and emotional hurdles to prepare for the qualifiers.Looking AheadWhile the World Cup dream has ended, Palestine’s football journey continues. The team has already secured qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia—a new target on the horizon.“Football is our voice,” Dabbagh said. “Our message to the world. The dream is not over—it’s only delayed.”Though the scoreboard in Amman marked the end of one chapter, the resilience and unity shown by the Palestinian national team have left a mark that goes far beyond football.
