Palestine has secured its place in the group stage of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Libya. The match, ending in a 0-0 draw after regular time, culminated in a 4-3 win for Palestine, marking a significant moment for the national team and its supporters. This qualification sets the stage for a challenging Group A campaign against host nation Qatar and other strong contenders.
The qualification took place on Wednesday at Thani bin Jassim Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Palestine’s opening match of the tournament will be against Qatar on December 1st at the iconic Al Bayt Stadium, following the opening ceremony. Syria and Tunisia will also contest Group A, with Syria and Tunisia playing on the same day.
Palestine’s Dramatic Road to the FIFA Arab Cup
The path to the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 wasn’t easy for Palestine, requiring a tense and closely fought qualifying match against Libya. Both teams displayed strong attacking intent throughout the game but ultimately failed to break the deadlock within 90 minutes. The goalless draw forced the match into a penalty shootout, where the pressure was immense.
Palestine goalkeeper Rami Hamada proved to be the initial hero, saving Libya’s first penalty attempt, providing an immediate advantage.
The shootout saw several twists and turns, with Libya’s Aymen Al Tihar later saving a Palestinian attempt to keep his team in contention. However, Amid Mahajna ultimately clinched the victory for Palestine with a composed finish, capitalizing on a missed penalty by Libya’s Marwan Al Hbeishi.
Players Reflect on Qualifying Achievement
Palestine captain Mus’ab Al-Batat expressed his pride in the team’s achievement, stating it was a “well-deserved victory” and a “great honour” to represent Palestine at the Arab Cup. He highlighted the energy and commitment of the players, even amidst fatigue. According to Al-Batat, the victory held particular significance for children in Palestine, bringing them joy during challenging times.
The qualifying win, coupled with other results from the day, have solidified the tournament bracket. Kuwait also secured qualification after defeating Mauritania 2-0, joining Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates in Group C.
Mohammad Daham, Kuwait’s goalscorer, similarly expressed satisfaction with the result and thanked the fans and technical staff for their support. Syria also advanced after defeating South Sudan 2-0.
Looking Ahead: Group A and Tournament Prospects
Palestine is now preparing to face a formidable challenge in Group A, opening against the hosts, Qatar. Qatar will be eager to impress on home soil and is expected to be a strong favorite in the group. The team is coached by Ihab Abu Jazar, and analysts believe Palestine will need a cohesive defensive strategy, combined with opportunistic attacking play, to have a chance at advancing.
The FIFA Arab Cup serves as an important regional competition, offering nations a platform to showcase their footballing talent and prepare for future international events. It also provides a valuable opportunity for teams to test their strategies and build team cohesion. Strong competition is expected throughout the tournament, with teams like Tunisia and Egypt also considered favorites.
Further qualifying matches are scheduled for Wednesday, including Oman versus Somalia, Bahrain against Djibouti, Comoros against Yemen, and Sudan facing Lebanon. The outcome of these games will determine the final composition of the tournament groups. The focus will then shift to team preparations and finalizing squad lists as the December 1st kickoff approaches.
Information regarding ticket sales and further tournament details can be found on the official FIFA website.
The tournament’s progression and potential upsets remain to be seen, but the qualification of Palestine adds another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a competitive and engaging FIFA Arab Cup.
Image from Palestine Football Association social media.
