The 2026 World Cup qualifiers are underway as countries all over the globe compete for a chance at bringing home arguably the biggest prize in all of the sport. Tuesday saw a pair of crucial matches for neighboring states in the Middle East.
Israel was matched up with Norway, while Palestine had a tilt against Iraq. Palestine went down 1-0 in its match before evening things up in the 88th minute. Then, in the final minute of stoppage time, Palestine pulled off a miraculous header off a corner kick to win.
Scenes after Palestine’s victory over Iraq. Palestine were 1-0 down, scored 88th minute equaliser and then the winner deep into injury-time.
Their World Cup dream is still alive. See what it means. pic.twitter.com/igwgpM4LQd
— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) March 25, 2025
Things didn’t go nearly as well for Israel. Israel never led in its match and ultimately lost to Norway 4-2. Fans reacted to the results of the day on social media.
“I’m Iraqi and I was wishing that Palestine wins. Alhamdulilah,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“A health to them and their martyred comrades. They carry the spirit of our collective humanity, up the Falasteen,” another fan added.
“Norway should have refused to play Israel. Israel should be banned from all sports,” someone else wrote.
“I’d love to see Palestine make it to the World Cup,” wrote someone else.
The World Cup qualifiers are far from over, but it couldn’t have been more of a different Tuesday for the two countries on the pitch.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.