Iraq need their World Cup qualifier towards Palestine subsequent month moved from the Jordanian capital of Amman, having additionally knocked again a Palestinian proposal to stage the match simply outdoors Jerusalem.
Iraq has denied a proposal to play their World Cup qualifier match towards Palestine in Jerusalem(REUTERS)
The final soccer worldwide performed within the Palestinian territories was in October 2019 and Palestine have since staged their “home” fixtures at impartial venues in Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait and Malaysia.
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Palestine are resulting from host Iraq in a Group B match within the third spherical of Asian qualifying on March 25 and, after the proposal to play the match within the Palestinian territories was turned down, FIFA proposed Amman because the impartial venue.
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The Iraqi Soccer Affiliation (IFA) stated in a press release on Thursday that it had written to soccer’s world governing physique asking for the match to be moved to a different metropolis as enjoying in Amman would breach FIFA’s personal guidelines on impartial venues.
“This decision raises serious questions about the integrity and fairness of the competition, given the highly competitive nature in Group B,” the IFA assertion learn.
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“Iraq, Jordan and Palestine are direct competitors in the group and the gap between Iraq and Jordan in the standings is currently very close.”
Iraq are in second place within the group with 11 factors, main Jordan in third by two factors and trailing leaders South Korea by three factors. The highest two groups within the group progress on to the 2026 World Cup finals in North America.
The Palestine Soccer Affiliation (PFA) launched a press release on Thursday regretting Iraq’s choice to not enable the match to go forward at Faisal Al-Husseini Worldwide Stadium in Al-Ram, Jerusalem.
The PFA stated FIFA and the Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) had inspected the stadium and agreed the match may very well be performed there, however solely with the settlement of the Iraqis.
“We were surprised to learn that our colleagues in the Iraqi Football Association had unilaterally decided to decline playing in Palestine and directly communicated this to the AFC and FIFA without consulting the PFA,” the assertion stated.
“Despite this decision, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to reclaiming our right to host matches on our home soil — a right we have fought tirelessly to secure and uphold over the years.”
The IFA stated “despite our keenness to hold the match in beloved Palestine, and to stand with Palestinian sports at this time”, the physique had determined to refuse due to the dearth of VAR know-how within the stadium.
Reuters has contacted FIFA and the AFC for remark.
Palestine are backside of Group B with three factors after six matches. Neither Palestine nor Jordan have beforehand certified for the World Cup finals, whereas Iraq misplaced all three video games on their one look in Mexico in 1986.