Iraq has declined to play its World Cup qualifier against Palestine in either Palestine or Jordan, expressing concerns over the venue’s integrity. FIFA suggested Amman as the location, but Iraq insists on a different venue due to competitive fairness. This decision has caused disappointment within the Palestinian Football Association, which remains committed to hosting matches on their home soil.
Iraq has declined to play its upcoming World Cup qualifier against Palestine in either Jerusalem or Amman, expressing concern about the integrity of the match’s hosting conditions. Palestine had proposed staging the match outside Jerusalem; however, Iraq insisted that it should not take place in Jordan, a decision prompted by FIFA’s designation of the venue as neutral.
This World Cup qualifying match is scheduled for March 25 as part of Group B in the Asian qualifiers. Although Palestine last hosted an international match in October 2019, they have conducted subsequent home fixtures at neutral sites in various countries, including Qatar and Malaysia.
Following the rejection of the Palestinian proposal, FIFA suggested that the match take place in Amman, but the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) contended that this would violate FIFA regulations concerning neutral venues. The IFA articulated that the proximity of Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine in the group standings further complicates the issue and necessitates a reevaluation of the venue.
Currently, Iraq holds second place in Group B with 11 points, narrowly ahead of Jordan by two points, while South Korea leads the group. The top two teams from Group B will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) expressed regret over Iraq’s decision, noting that FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had previously deemed the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium suitable for hosting the match, contingent upon Iraq’s consent. The PFA emphasized their commitment to maintaining the right to play matches on home soil despite these developments.
The IFA’s reasoning for their refusal centers around the absence of VAR technology at the stadium, which they deemed unacceptable for the match’s integrity. As it stands, Palestine occupies the bottom of Group B with only three points after six matches. Notably, neither Palestine nor Jordan have achieved qualification for the World Cup finals previously, while Iraq has one historic appearance in 1986, where they did not win any of their matches.
Iraq’s refusal to play the upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Palestine in either Jerusalem or Jordan raises significant concerns about the match’s venue and competition integrity. The Palestinian authorities have voiced disappointment with this decision while reaffirming their desire to host matches in their homeland. Amidst ongoing geopolitical complexities, these developments highlight the challenges faced in international sports. As qualification progresses, the standings in Group B remain tense, particularly concerning Iraqi ambitions for advancement. This scenario underscores the intricate relationship between sports and political dynamics in the region.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
