Palestine

The team falls under the jurisdiction of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Asia and FIFA on a global scale. The history of football in Mandatory Palestine dates back to the establishment of a football federation in 1928. However, it wasn't until 1998, following the formation of the Palestinian National Authority, that FIFA officially recognized the Palestinian national team. That same year, Palestine played their inaugural FIFA-sanctioned match, which ended in a 3-1 defeat to Lebanon in a friendly encounter. In 2014, the Palestine squad achieved a significant milestone by winning the AFC Challenge Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Philippines in the final. This triumph earned them a spot in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, marking their debut appearance in the prestigious tournament. Subsequently, the team also qualified for the 2019 edition of the Asian Cup through regular qualification, showcasing their continued growth on the international stage. Despite these achievements, Palestine is yet to secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup. The Palestinian team is recognized by various monikers, including "Lions of Canaan," "the Fedayoon," and "the Knights." Sporting the colors of red and white, the team's peak in the FIFA rankings came in February 2018 when they reached the 73rd position after an impressive 12-game unbeaten streak from March 29, 2016, to March 22, 2018. While the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in Al-Ram serves as their primary venue, external circumstances have occasionally forced them to play home matches in neutral grounds.