Palestinian Football: The National Team and Its Story

Football is one of the few places where Palestine plays on the world stage as a nation among nations. The story of the Palestinian national team is one of stubborn progress against remarkable obstacles.

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Early roots

Organised football in Palestine goes back to the British Mandate era, when a football association was founded in 1928. The modern Palestinian Football Association was re-established in 1962, and after years of effort it was admitted to FIFA in 1998.

Home games at last

For years the team could not play at home and hosted matches abroad. In October 2008, Palestine played its first home international at the Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium in al-Ram near Jerusalem, a moment many fans still describe as historic.

Playing through restrictions

Players have often faced travel restrictions between Gaza and the West Bank and at borders abroad, which can make training camps and team selection difficult. Squads regularly include players from the diaspora, who bring experience from leagues across the Arab world, Europe and Latin America.

Breakthroughs in Asia

Palestine qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 2015, reached it again in 2019, and at the 2023 tournament, played in early 2024, they reached the knockout stage for the first time. For fans watching from Gaza, the West Bank and the diaspora, it was a moment of shared pride.

A club with Palestinian roots in Chile

Club Deportivo Palestino was founded in Santiago in 1920 by Palestinian immigrants and plays in Chile's top division. Its fans wear the colours of the Palestinian flag, a reminder of how far the diaspora reaches.

Supporting the team? Our Palestine Flag and Free Palestine designs are made for match days and every day.

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