Palestine beats Libya to qualify for Arab Cup, ‘bringing joy’ to its people
The Palestinian national football team secured a place in the Arab Cup on Tuesday, defeating Libya 4-3 on penalties after a tense 0-0 draw in their playoff match in Doha, a victory hailed as a rare moment of joy and pride for a people enduring immense suffering.
The victory, which earned Palestine a spot in Group A alongside hosts Qatar, Tunisia, and Syria for the tournament beginning in December, was celebrated as a moment of pride and a rare source of happiness for a people enduring the aftermath of the genocide in Gaza.
“This was the toughest playoff match,” coach Ihab Abu Jazar told Al Kass TV. “Our circumstances and absences made it harder, but we are proud. Football is one of the few things that can bring happiness to Palestinians.”
Highlighting the unique role his team plays, Abu Jazar stated, “We are different from other teams... We play for two goals: to send messages through football and to develop Palestinian football... We play for more than trophies — we play to send a message and bring joy to our people.”
After a deadlock through 90 minutes of regulation and extra time, the match was decided from the penalty spot. Players cited fatigue as a factor but celebrated their resilience.
“God helped us in the shootout. The team is improving and more players are going abroad,” said forward Oday Dabbagh.
Team captain Musab Al-Battat reflected on the significance of the achievement, saying that qualifying was “a source of pride,” and that “just making Palestinian children smile is an achievement for every player.”
The qualification marks another milestone for a team that has continued to progress internationally despite immense challenges, having recently come close to a World Cup playoff and already secured its place in the 2027 Asian Cup. The 16-team Arab Cup is scheduled to run from December 1-18.
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