JERICHO: Rami Hamadeh, Bnei Sakhnin’s goalkeeper, will stand in Palestine's goal in their World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
For the first time, an active Israeli Premier League player will play for Palestine national team in an official match.
History maker. Hamadeh, during the 2019 Asian Cup with Palestine (Photo: Fadi Marek)
Hamadeh, an Israeli citizen who played in Palestinian football since he was 16 and starred for all the Palestinian national teams, signed for Israeli club Bnei Sakhnin after ten years in the West Bank.
In 2020, Reabal Dahamshe played for the Palestine B team while he played for the youth of Hapoel Nof Ha-Galil, while Rami himself played for the U16 team when he played for Maccabi Netanya as a youth player. Now, the Shafa’amaru-born keeper will make history and become the first senior professional to play in an Israeli club and the Fida’i at the same time.
His first season in Israel isn’t an easy one. Hamadeh struggles to get playing time. In Sakhnin’s recent cup game, he kept a clean sheet and helped the team reach the quarterfinals.
Hamadeh will now join the Palestine national team camp in Jericho and will fly with his teammates to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this week, ahead of the World Cup qualifier between Saudi Arabia and Palestine on March 30th.
This is an unprecedented moment in the relationship between Israeli football and Palestinian football in professional modern times. It may now open the door for more call-ups for Arab-Israelis to join the Palestinian national team and a fascinating influx of talent from Israeli football to its Palestinian counterpart.
“It’s a dream come true”, Hamadeh told BabaGol. “The club took it very well. It’s a very important moment for me and I am so excited to reunite with friends in the national team”.
After months of war, the Palestinian Football Association may revive league play—if minimum safety, infrastructure, and funding can be secured.
Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali overcame cardiac collapse and broken ribs to become Club World Cup star, attracting top European clubs.
On-loan striker Oday Dabbagh scores the winning penalty as Aberdeen defeat Celtic in a dramatic shootout, ending a 35-year Scottish Cup drought.
Oday Dabbagh nets a 118th-minute winner as Aberdeen edge 9-man Hearts 2-1 to reach the Scottish Cup final for the first time since 1990.
Palestine’s Omar Faraj tied an Allsvenskan record with five goals for Degerfors, earning a rare 10/10 rating across multiple score apps. Here's all you need to know about the Swedish-Palestinian sensation.
Ahmed Taha shines for Palestine with assist vs Jordan—now Israel’s sports minister wants him banned from the local league.
Iraq refuses to play Palestine’s WCQ in Jerusalem or Jordan, citing VAR concerns. FIFA faces pressure to decide on a neutral venue.
Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh makes a dream Aberdeen debut with a dramatic late winner. Watch the goal here:
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Qatar stole a last-gasp draw from Switzerland and Morocco held Brazil 1-1 — two results that announced Arab football’s full arrival at 2026.
Maccabi Tel Aviv edge Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2–1 in a dramatic Israeli Cup Final at Teddy Stadium, denying the champions a historic Double.
With tensions easing, Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation remains uncertain, as FIFA, politics, and regional dynamics collide.
CAF shocks African football by stripping Senegal’s title and awarding Morocco the AFCON crown after a chaotic final decision.
From silent protests to daring escapes, Iran’s women footballers turned a tournament into a global story of courage, politics, and survival.
Iran’s women’s team protested, faced threats, and signaled SOS in Australia—now their fate is uncertain amid calls for asylum.
FIFA joins Gaza rebuilding plans, restoring stadiums, pitches, and youth programs, supporting football and hope in the Strip.
From Benzema’s shock move to Ronaldo’s protest, a chain reaction in Saudi football is shaking the entire project and the global game.
A Hitchcock-style AFCON final in Rabat saw chaos, controversy and brilliance as Senegal stunned Morocco to claim their second African title.
From libraries to stadiums, Morocco lives football. As AFCON 2025 nears its climax, passion, politics, and ambition collide nationwide.
As protests spread across Iran, footballers are turning goals, silence and visibility into acts of resistance and solidarity with the people.
From Trump’s World Cup to wars, revolutions and fairy tales – the football stories that shaped 2025 in the Middle East and beyond.
A dramatic 107th-minute penalty sends Iraq to the intercontinental playoff—now just one game from a first World Cup since 1986.
Ireland and other European FAs are joining efforts to push UEFA to suspend Israel over settlement clubs and racism allegations.
Aston Villa overcame Maccabi Tel Aviv 2–0 in a Europa League night marked by police protests, fan bans, and off-field political tension.
Maccabi Tel Aviv arrive in Birmingham under political tension, facing Aston Villa without fans in a key Europa League test.
Erling Haaland’s hat-trick powered Norway past Israel 5–0, as protests and tension surrounded the World Cup qualifier in Oslo.
Israel coach Ran Ben Shimon dons a kippa and prays for hostages in an emotional Oslo press conference before facing Norway.
Ahead of Norway–Israel, FA president Lise Klaveness urges respect, transparency, and dialogue, discussing her efforts in bringing change that will see Israel banned from international football.
Tense atmosphere in Oslo ahead of Norway vs. Israel, with protests, politics, and a World Cup dream on the line.
As Israel visits Oslo for a key World Cup qualifier, Norway braces for protests, politics, and a tense weekend on and off the pitch. Uri Levy reports from Oslo.
As Israel visits Oslo for a key World Cup qualifier, Norway braces for protests, politics, and a tense weekend on and off the pitch. Uri Levy reports from Oslo.