Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza has made the fate of the Palestinian National Team (Timnas) uncertain. In fact, Palestine is scheduled to host Australia on November 21 2023 in the 2026 World Cup qualifying event. Currently, Palestine is in Group I of the 2026 World Cup qualifying Asia Zone with Australia and Lebanon.
Luckily, Algeria stated that it was ready to become the ‘new home’ for the Palestinian National Team and cover all match costs for the Canaan Lions Squad during the war.
Launching from Al JazeeraAlgeria agreed to Palestine’s request to hold home matches of all official and non-official or friendly matches in their country.
Not only that, one of the countries in North Africa will also help Palestine with the costs needed during the match, such as transportation and accommodation.
“The President of the Algerian Football Federation, Walid Sadi, announced that our country will host the official Palestine-Australia match scheduled for November,” wrote a statement from the Algerian Football Federation, quoted on Wednesday (18/10/2023).
“Algeria has agreed to hold all international matches involving the Palestinian National Team’s readiness for qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup, as well as covering all related costs,” continued the Algerian Football Federation.
Previously, the chairman of the Palestinian Football Federation, Jibril Rajoub, submitted a request to the Algerian authorities to hold all of his national team’s home matches.
This request came after the Asian Football Confederation asked Palestine to hold the match at a neutral and conflict-free venue. The unfavorable situation, including in the West Bank, means that Palestine cannot hold matches in its own country.
Last week, Palestine withdrew from the 2023 Merdeka Cup in Malaysia due to the conflict with Israel which heated up again after the Hamas group attacked the country led by Benjamin Netanyahu since last Saturday (7/10/2023).
Based on data as of Tuesday (17/10/2023), as many as 2,808 Palestinians in Gaza were declared dead as a result of attacks between Hamas and Israel. Meanwhile, 10,859 other residents were injured.
Meanwhile, in the West Bank where the Palestinian national team’s national stadium is located, 57 people were reported killed with 1,200 others injured.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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