FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Palestine hopes for positive result against South Korea despite difficulties

Palestine is playing in the third stage of the 18-nation World Cup qualifiers for the first time and has a chance to claim one of Asia’s eight guaranteed berths at the 2026 finals.

Palestine coach Makram Daboub reacts. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Palestine remains hopeful of a positive result despite its disrupted preparation to face one of the best teams in Asia, coach Makram Daboub said ahead of Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against South Korea.

Palestine is playing in the third stage of the 18-nation World Cup qualifiers for the first time and has a chance to claim one of Asia’s eight guaranteed berths at the 2026 finals.

Palestine finished second in its group behind leader Australia in the previous round. It is required to play all its games abroad due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and have been training in Malaysia ahead of the third round of qualifiers.

Coach Daboub and Denmark-born forward Wessam Abou Ali raised concerns about their readiness, saying the suspension of Palestine’s local leagues and constantly being on the road for training and matches has taken a toll on the squad.

“It’s a big challenge, and our goal is to achieve a positive result. We faced difficulties in preparing for these games,” Daboub told reporters on Wednesday ahead of their Group B opener.

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“Most notably due to the delayed arrival of many players to the training camp and the lack of friendly matches. We have incomplete squad numbers and most players have not played with their clubs due to the league suspension,” he added.

The Palestine Football Association said at least 92 Palestinian players have been killed in the war and their football infrastructure has been completely destroyed.

“We resorted to closed camps to prepare the players physically and psychologically for the qualifiers and maintain their usual level of performance,” Daboub added. “We are relying on the available best skilled players to get the points.”

Daboub hailed South Korea, which has played in the last 10 editions of the World Cup and were semifinalists when it co-hosted the tournament in 2002.

“We will rely on our fighting spirit, passion and organisation to stop talented players such as Son Heung-min,” he added.

“I think the most important thing for us players is to create happiness for fellow Palestinian people who suffer more than some of us,” Abou Ali added.

Palestine faces Jordan next on September 10 in Kuala Lumpur.