Algeria to host Palestine’s football fixtures amid Gaza genocide

Palestine’s players pose for a group picture during the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 group C football match between Morocco and Palestine at the Al-Janoub Stadium in the Qatari city of Al-Wakrah on December 1, 2021. [Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images]

Algeria has agreed to host the Palestine national football team’s upcoming fixtures and bear all associated costs until further notice, following a request put in by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), amid Israel’s genocidal war against Gaza, that has so far claimed the lives of over 3,000 people and injured over 13,000.

In a statement on Monday, the Algerian Football Federation (AFF) said that it will stage “all official and non-official matches involving the Palestinian team’s preparation for qualification to the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup and to assume all associated costs.”

“The president of the Algerian Football Federation, Mr Walid Sadi, announces that our country will host the official Palestine-Australia match, scheduled for November,” the AFF further stated.

READ: Algeria condemns ‘brutal’ Israeli airstrikes on Gaza

On Monday, BBC SPORT noted that the Palestinian national stadium is based in the occupied-West Bank and has “sought external help as the regional conflict intensifies, stating that the Asian Football Confederation has asked it to stage the Australia match in a neutral venue.”

Palestine’s last international fixture was played in 2019, in occupied-Jerusalem against Saudi Arabia. The upcoming qualifying match against Australia on 21 November will be the team’s first “home” game since on-going provocations in the West Bank, prompted the Gaza-based resistance to launch Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, the deadliest so far for the occupation state. They are scheduled to visit and play Lebanon first on 16 November in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Riyad Mahrez and Said Benrahma carry the Palestine flag after Algeria's 5-1 win over Cape Verde today. Massive respect to them 🇵🇸♥️ #Palestine pic.twitter.com/9CF8De924U

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 12, 2023

The Algerian national team has long been vocal in its solidarity with Palestine and has frequently displayed Palestinian flags at its games. On 12 October, following its 5-1 victory over Cape Verde in a friendly, Riyad Mahrez and Said Benrahma were seen carrying the flag. On Monday, Algeria drew 1-1 with Egypt in a game held in the UAE, during which one Algerian fan was reportedly asked to leave for wearing the Palestinian flag at the stadium.

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