Palestinian soccer team prepares for World Cup qualifying games against a backdrop of war

Published November 9, 2023 10:04 PM

By JOHN DUERDEN
Associated Press

Makram Daboub may be struggling to prepare his Palestinian team for the start of 2026 World Cup qualification but he takes some comfort — for now at least — that his players stuck in Gaza are safe. The national soccer team’s head coach wanted to include Ibrahim Abuimeir, Khaled Al-Nabris, and Ahmed Al-Kayed in a training camp in Jordan ahead of World Cup qualifying games against Lebanon next Thursday and Australia in Kuwait on Nov. 21. But they were unable to make it out of Gaza because of the Israel-Hamas war. Daboub says the three players “so far they are fine. Many of their relatives have died, however, as a result of the bombing.”

Article Topic Follows: AP National

Jump to comments ↓

Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.