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Palestine kept their hopes of reaching their first-ever FIFA World Cup alive with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Iraq on Tuesday at Amman International Stadium in Jordan.
A Thrilling Turnaround
Iraq took the lead in the 34th minute when Aymen Hussein met Ibrahim Bayesh’s cross with a glancing header, putting his team in control. For much of the match, it seemed Iraq would hold onto their advantage.
However, Palestine staged a stunning late rally. With just two minutes of normal time remaining, Abou Ali leveled the score with a well-placed header. Then, deep into injury time, Ameed Mahajneh made history by heading in the winning goal from an Adam Kaied corner—the same combination that set up Palestine’s first goal.
Group Standings and Qualification Race
The victory lifts Palestine off the bottom of Group B, moving them into fifth place with six points, just one point ahead of Kuwait. Iraq, a strong contender to progress, remains in third place with 12 points.
Currently, South Korea (16 points) and Jordan (13 points) occupy the automatic qualification spots for the 2026 World Cup. The teams finishing third and fourth will enter a playoff for a chance to qualify for the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With two games left, Palestine sits four points behind fourth-placed Oman, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
What’s Next?
Palestine will travel to Kuwait for a crucial match on June 5, while Oman faces Jordan on the same day. Their final group-stage game on June 10 will be against Oman in Jordan, which could be a direct battle for fourth place—and a shot at the playoffs.
Palestine’s progress follows a strong showing at the 2023 Asian Cup, where they reached the knockout rounds for the first time before being eliminated by eventual champions Qatar.
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