Amid Israel’s war on Gaza, Palestine dares to dream of FIFA World Cup 2026

The Seoul World Cup Stadium is known for being one of Asia's most intense and partisan football venues, with South Korean fans known for their fervent support that can unsettle even the strongest teams. However, on Thursday, the atmosphere was different as fans showed their support for Palestine, the visiting team.

In the midst of the sea of red jerseys, which typically represent South Korea, large sections of the 66,000-capacity stadium displayed flags and messages backing Palestine. This created a touching atmosphere for Palestine's historic first match in the third round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

On the field, Palestine earned a hard-fought point with a 0-0 draw against the formidable South Korean team. The result was largely due to Rami Hamadeh's exceptional goalkeeping and South Korea's missed opportunities. While the Taegeuk Warriors were unable to secure a home win, Palestine came close to a historic victory but was thwarted by Jo Hyeon-woo’s excellent save in stoppage time.

The players and staff of Palestine, who are representing their country amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, celebrated the draw with visible joy. They are dedicated to representing Palestine on the global stage despite the harsh conditions back home.

Palestinian midfielder Mohammed Rashid shared his dreams and resilience in the face of adversity. "I’m always dreaming," Rashid told Al Jazeera. "They [the Israeli forces] try to kill our dreams, but we will not let them stand in our way. We can never stop dreaming."

The ongoing conflict has had a profound impact on Palestinian football, with the war claiming the lives of at least 410 athletes, officials, or coaches by August, according to the Palestine Football Association. The PFA’s Vice President Susan Shalabi has been documenting these losses, though the task has become overwhelming.

Players like Rashid cope with the emotional strain by avoiding news in the days leading up to matches. "No human, whether they are Palestinian or not, can see what’s happening and not be affected by it," he said.

The Palestinian team carries the weight of representing their nation both at home and abroad. "Flying the flag for Palestine" means more to them than any match result. "We never play for us. When we play for the national team, we represent the whole Palestinian community all over the world," Rashid explained.

Following their draw in Seoul, the team traveled to Kuala Lumpur to play Jordan due to ongoing security issues preventing them from hosting international games at home. The Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium, which was scheduled to host a match against Australia, is still not an option due to security concerns.

Malaysia has provided a supportive venue for Palestine, highlighting international solidarity. "It means a lot to us," Shalabi said. "We feel that we are not alone, and that’s very important for a people who are besieged, being tormented and killed."

To reach the 2026 World Cup, Palestine must either finish among the top two in their group, which includes South Korea, Jordan, Iraq, Oman, and Kuwait, or advance from the current round to the fourth round of qualifiers. Although currently ranked lower than South Korea, Iraq, and Jordan, Palestine still has a chance to qualify.

The Palestinian national team symbolizes hope for many, as shown by the story of PFA Deputy General Secretary Sami Abu Al Hussein, who separated his family to protect them from the conflict. Despite the challenges, he and others find solace in the team’s progress. "It signifies the hope the team represents for Palestine," Shalabi said. "If the only thing that they could accomplish is to make a child in Gaza smile, they would have done enough."