After advancing further than ever before in the World Cup, the Palestinian national football team is determined to host a game in the occupied West Bank, the Associated Press (AP) news agency reports.
The Palestinian team progressed through the second round of its group qualifying for the first time in its history in June but, because of Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, had played its matches in nearby Kuwait and Qatar.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has now proposed playing games in the third stage of its Asian qualification campaign in the occupied West Bank and already has support from a number of its opponents, starting against Jordan on September 10, the AP reports, reports Al Jazeera.
“Playing at a neutral venue isn’t permanent and was never meant to be so,” Susan Shabali, the PFA’s deputy president said.
“Faisal Al-Husseini is ready to host,” Shabali said.
The 12, 500 capacity Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium is situated in the occupied West Bank town of Al Ram.
In 2019, it hosted the team’s last competitive home game, a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia that ended 0-0.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
