Africa Newsroom — Ramallah, West Bank — Palestine made history on December 1, 2025, securing their first-ever victory over Qatar in a thrilling match at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup.
In a closely fought contest at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Palestine triumphed 1-0, with the winning goal being an own goal by Qatar’s Sultan Al Brake in injury time (90+4′). This victory marks a significant milestone for the Palestinian football team, which qualified for the tournament after defeating Libya in a penalty shootout.
Palestine’s coach, Ihab Abu Jazar, expressed confidence in his team despite facing a tough group draw. “We believed in our ability to compete and win,” he said. Qatar’s coach, Julen Lopetegui, views the Arab Cup as crucial for their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “This tournament is a great opportunity for us to test our team and strategies,” Lopetegui commented.
Qatar has a storied history in the Arab Cup, having finished as runners-up in 1998, third in 2021, and fourth in 1985. This year, they are aiming for their first Arab Cup title, a goal that has been a driving force for the team.
The 2025 FIFA Arab Cup is the second FIFA-recognized edition of the tournament, featuring 16 teams from the AFC and CAF confederations. The event boasts a record prize money of over $36.5 million, making it a highly coveted competition for participating nations.
This historic victory for Palestine comes as a morale boost for the team and its fans, who have long supported the nation’s quest for recognition and success on the international stage. The match highlighted the growing talent and potential of Palestinian football, offering a glimpse of what could be a bright future for the sport in the region.
Source: aljazeera
