Socceroos to Face Palestine in World Cup Qualifier at Neutral Venue
Football Australia has announced that the Socceroos, the national football team, will face Palestine in a second-round 2026 World Cup qualifier at a neutral venue. Due to the current circumstances in the region, the Asian Football Confederation has requested that the designated home fixture for Palestine be held at a neutral venue. The match will take place on November 21 at the Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait.
The Socceroos will open the second round of Asian qualifying against Bangladesh in Melbourne just five days prior to their match against Palestine. Both teams belong to Group I, which also includes Lebanon and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the Philippines is in Group F, along with Iraq, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier is part of the process that will determine the teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada. Football Australia’s decision to hold the match at a neutral venue ensures fairness and safety for all teams involved.
The announcement comes amidst an ongoing war in the region. Hamas militants recently carried out a deadly attack in Southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people. As a result, the situation remains tense, with hundreds of abducted individuals in Gaza and thousands of Israelis evacuated from their homes near the borders of Gaza and Lebanon. The conflict has led to a month of relentless bombardment in Gaza, causing significant loss of life and destruction.
It is worth noting that last month, the Palestinian football team withdrew from the Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Overall, the decision to hold the Socceroos vs. Palestine qualifier at a neutral venue ensures the safety and fairness of the match. It allows both teams to continue their World Cup qualifying campaign under appropriate conditions.
