Palestine's hopes of reaching their first FIFA World Cup finals remain alive after a dramatic late comeback secured a 2-1 victory over Iraq in Jordan. The crucial win at Amman International Stadium on Tuesday lifted Palestine off the bottom of Group B, propelling them into the fifth spot with six points. This marked a significant achievement as it was Palestine’s first victory at this stage of the Asian qualifiers for the global football tournament.
The match was a nail-biting affair, with Aymen Hussein giving Iraq the lead in the 34th minute with a glancing header from Ibrahim Bayesh’s cross. Despite a spirited second-half display, Palestine struggled to find the net until Abou Ali headed in an equalizer just two minutes before the end of regular time. Ameed Mahajneh then made history by heading in a corner from Adam Kaied seven minutes into injury time, securing the historic win for Palestine.
The historic victory for Palestine moves them four points clear of fourth-placed Oman with two games remaining. The last group-stage fixture on June 10 will have Palestine hosting Oman, though the match will take place in Jordan. This clash might be a playoff matchup as both teams are dueling for the coveted fourth spot. Winning it would all but confirm a playoff spot, from which they could qualify for the World Cup!
The result is a testament to Palestine's resilience, having reached the knockout stages of an Asian Cup for the first time at the 2023 tournament before being eliminated by Qatar. Meanwhile, Iraq, who are among the favorites to progress from the group, currently hold third place with 12 points. They are set to face Kuwait, who are at the bottom of Group B, on June 5, while Oman takes on Jordan on the same day.
In Group B, South Korea and Jordan lead with 16 and 13 points, respectively, securing their positions for automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup. The teams finishing third and fourth will enter a playoff stage for additional spots in next year's tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Palestine’s first ever win in the AFC Asian Cup against Iraq lifted them off the bottom of Group B. This victory moved them one point clear of Kuwait, re-igniting their pursuit of a possible World Cup qualification. As the qualifiers continue, all eyes will be on Palestine’s next game against Oman. The match may prove to be the most important on their World Cup adventure.
