Players from the Palestinian national football team are training to adapt to the local conditions. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – As the Palestinian national soccer team prepares to face South Korea in a World Cup qualifier, they carry with them the weight of a nation embroiled in conflict and the hopes of bringing joy to their beleaguered countrymen.
The match, scheduled for 8 p.m. on September 5 at Seoul World Cup Stadium, marks the opening game of the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For the Palestinian squad, it’s more than just a game; it’s a mission to provide a glimmer of happiness to a people living under the shadow of war.
“Our team receives tremendous support back home,” a Palestinian team official told reporters near their training ground in Goyang. “But we’ve faced numerous difficulties. The war has severely hampered our preparations.”
The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, now approaching its one-year mark, has cast a long shadow over the team’s preparations. The Palestinian professional league was suspended in the wake of the hostilities, and some players from Gaza were unable to leave the embattled territory to join the national team.
Despite these challenges, the Palestinians are no strangers to overcoming adversity on the soccer pitch. In the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year, they reached the round of 16 for the first time in their history, an achievement that brought rare moments of celebration to the streets of Gaza.
“When we win a soccer match, people in Gaza come out onto the streets,” Mohamed Saleh, a Gaza-born player, said after the team secured a spot in the knockout stage. “It’s an indescribable feeling.” Saleh, however, is notably absent from the current squad due to the ongoing situation.
The task ahead is daunting. South Korea, ranked 23rd in the world by FIFA and third in Asia, boasts a star-studded lineup including Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur and Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich. In contrast, Palestine sits at 96th globally and 15th in Asia.
Despite the gulf in rankings and the formidable opposition they face, the Palestinian team is driven by a purpose that transcends the sport. “We must give hope to our suffering people. That’s what we aim to do through soccer,” the team official emphasized.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
