Palestine Resumes Domestic Football After Three-Year Hiatus
Football returns to Palestine on September 4 following a more than three-year hiatus forced by the conflict in Gaza, as announced by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA). The resumption brings competitive fixtures back to the pitch through a specially organized tournament designed to restart domestic action across multiple tiers.
According to PFA President Jibril Rajoub, who spoke during a press conference in Ramallah, the sporting calendar and league fixtures will officially restart at the beginning of September. The long interruption to Palestinian sports began following the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip after the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel.
The Thousand Martyrs Cup Honors Victims
To honor those lost during the conflict, the PFA has named the upcoming competition the “Thousand Martyrs Cup.” PFA data shows that 1,014 Palestinian athletes have been killed during the war.
Simultaneous Kickoffs Across Three Territories
A total of 226 clubs will participate across three regions: 146 in the occupied West Bank, 44 in the Gaza Strip, and 36 representing Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Opening matches will take place simultaneously across these territories. Jbal Al-Mukaber will face Shabab Al-Khalil at Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium in Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Shabab Rafah will play Services Rafah. Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, Al-Ansar will meet Al-Nahda at the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.
Rajoub acknowledged the severe conditions faced by the athletic community. The conflict created extreme difficulties for all Palestinians, leading to the suspension of domestic competitions and activities, but the national athletic spirit and belief in sports as a beacon of hope and life have endured, according to the PFA president.
Financial Strains and Pleas to FIFA
Financial strains continue to weigh heavily on the governing body and participating clubs. Rajoub stated that the PFA is seeking a bank loan to be repaid by the Palestinian government to navigate these economic hurdles.
During the press briefing, Rajoub called on the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), continental confederations, and national governing bodies to support Palestinian athletics and safeguard the rights of players, clubs, and children to practice sport freely and with dignity.
The PFA also addressed broader international governance issues, referencing a recently withdrawn proposal by FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding private-sector investment in tournaments. While acknowledging that commercial directions in global sports raise legitimate questions, the PFA emphasized that the core issue for Palestinian football is whether FIFA possesses the courage to apply its regulations impartially without yielding to political pressures.
The PFA maintains ongoing demands for FIFA to impose sanctions on Israeli clubs operating within settlements in the West Bank and to suspend the Israeli Football Association over the war in Gaza. Rajoub stated that the association does not seek special privileges, only the legitimate rights guaranteed under international sports laws and charters.
Delegation Prepares for Asian Games in Japan
In addition to domestic play, Rajoub—who also heads the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and the Palestine Olympic Committee—announced that a 108-member Palestinian delegation will travel to Japan for the upcoming Asian Games. The delegation includes 67 athletes who will compete across 19 sports disciplines.
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