Palestine draws with South Korea, advances to second round of World Cup qualifiers

The Palestine national football team held South Korea to a goalless draw (0-0) in their World Cup 2026 qualifying match on Thursday in Seoul. This result secured their place in the second round of the qualifiers, marking a significant step in their quest to reach the global stage.

Under the guidance of head coach Makram Daoud, the Palestinian team will face a formidable challenge next Tuesday as they take on their neighbors, Jordan, in the second match of this final phase of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, to be held in North America.

Jordan, a finalist in the most recent Asian Cup in Qatar, poses a significant hurdle for Palestine as they seek to make history.

To continue their journey toward World Cup qualification, Palestine must finish in one of the top four positions in their six-team group.

The top two teams will earn direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Achieving this would be a historic milestone for Palestine, whose team recently made its first-ever appearance in the Round of 16 at the last Asian Cup in January in Qatar.

The goalless draw against South Korea is seen as a positive result, providing a solid foundation for Palestine's ongoing campaign. While the path ahead is challenging, with several strong teams in their group, Palestine’s recent successes demonstrate their growing competitiveness on the international stage.

The upcoming match against Jordan will be crucial, not only for points but also to gauge their readiness and resilience against some of Asia's top footballing nations. For the Palestinian team, this qualification campaign represents an opportunity to inspire their fans and make a lasting mark in the history of their national sport.