Palestine Reaches Milestone: Third Round Of World Cup Qualifiers Secured

In a monumental achievement for Palestinian football, the national team has advanced to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time. This historic moment came after a hard-fought goalless draw against Lebanon in Doha on Thursday. This success comes amid the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Gaza, adding a poignant layer to the team’s accomplishment.

A Historic Milestone Amid Conflict
The Palestinian football team has been a beacon of hope and pride for a nation facing significant challenges. Their advancement to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers marks an unprecedented milestone. Despite the intense backdrop of the war in Gaza, the team has shown remarkable resilience and determination. This achievement follows their debut in the Asian Cup knockout phase earlier this year, further cementing their place in football history.

Tense Draw Secures Qualification
Heading into the crucial Group I match with seven points, Palestine needed only a draw to progress. The match against Lebanon was a tough encounter, with Lebanon employing rough tactics that resulted in seven yellow cards. Despite this, Palestine held their ground and secured the necessary result to move forward. This will also mark the fourth consecutive time Palestine has qualified for the AFC Asian Cup finals, set to be hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2027.

Upcoming Challenge Against Australia
Manager Makram Daboub’s squad will now prepare to face Australia on June 11. The Socceroos recently secured a 2-0 victory against Bangladesh in Dhaka, showcasing their formidable form. Among the Australian squad is Nestory Irankunda, a rising star who made his debut against Bangladesh. Born in a refugee camp in Tanzania after his parents fled Burundi, Irankunda had an immediate impact, assisting in the first goal scored by Ajdin Hrustic.

South Korea and India’s Emotional Farewells
On the same day, South Korea delivered a dominant 7-0 victory over Singapore, with notable performances from PSG’s Lee Kang-in and Tottenham’s Son Heung-min, who both scored twice. Meanwhile, in Kolkata, Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri made an emotional exit from international football. Playing his 151st and final match for India, Chhetri was given a guard of honour by nearly 59,000 fans as he left the pitch. With 94 goals to his name, Chhetri ends his career as one of the world’s top international scorers, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Daei, and Lionel Messi.

Surprising Results in the Middle East
The Middle Eastern qualifiers witnessed some unexpected outcomes. Afghanistan held reigning Asian champions Qatar to a goalless draw at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia. Despite dominating possession with nearly 70 percent, Qatar was unable to break through Afghanistan's defence. Qatar had already secured their place in Round 3 of the qualifiers, but this match highlighted Afghanistan’s tenacity and strategic play.

UAE and Saudi Arabia Secure Strong Wins
Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates secured a decisive 4-0 win over Nepal in Dammam, thanks to an early brace from Harib Suhail. Saudi Arabia also triumphed with a 3-0 victory over Pakistan, featuring goals from Feras Al Buraikan and Musab Al Juwayr. These results further demonstrated the strength and depth of the Gulf teams in the qualifiers.

South Korea Tops Group C
South Korea continued their dominant form, securing the top spot in Asia Group C with a 7-0 rout of Singapore. The win, featuring goals from Joo Min-kyu, Bae Jun-ho, and Hwang Hee-chan, ensures their progression to the final qualifying stage. South Korea’s next challenge will be a home match against China, who need a point to secure their qualifying place after a 1-1 draw with Thailand.

Drama in Southeast Asia
In Southeast Asia, Indonesia suffered a 2-0 defeat to Iraq in Jakarta, finishing with ten men after Jordi Amat’s red card. Iraq, already qualified, maintained their perfect record with this win. Meanwhile, Vietnam edged closer to qualification with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Philippines, sealed by Pham Tuan Hai's goal in the fifth minute of added time. Japan also continued their impressive run, defeating Myanmar 5-0 in Yangon.