Palestine Football Team’s Historic Arab Cup Run Lifts Spirits Amid Conflict

The Palestine national football team has made a historic advance to the Arab Cup quarter-finals. Coach Ehab Abou Jazar credits his mother, living in a tent in Gaza, as his ultimate inspiration. This sporting success offers a rare moment of joy for a people enduring ongoing conflict.

According to AFP, the team’s performance in Doha has become a powerful symbol of resilience. Their journey carries the hopes of millions, transcending the sport itself.

A Mother’s Guidance from a Gaza Tent

Coach Ehab Abou Jazar receives tactical advice and encouragement from an unexpected source. His 62-year-old mother, Huda Mahmoud Abou Jazar, calls him from a displacement camp in Gaza. Their family home was destroyed in the war.

She refuses to let the conflict dim her son’s sporting dreams. “She only talks to me about the team and the championship!” Abou Jazar told AFP. She asks about players, strategy, and the squad’s morale constantly.

Her pride fuels his determination. When phone lines allow it, she sends prayers and motivational messages before matches. The coach says her optimism is a beacon for the entire team. He aims to channel her strength to his players on the pitch.

Sport as a Unifying Force in Difficult Times

The team’s success provides crucial emotional relief. Their victory over Qatar last week sparked celebrations across Gaza camps. For many, it was a fleeting escape from two years of hardship and loss.

This athletic achievement holds deep symbolic weight. Abou Jazar believes it proves Palestinians can excel globally when given a chance. The squad, mostly born outside Gaza, carries this responsibility with solemn pride.

Their historic draw against Syria secured the quarter-final spot. This feat unites fans in the occupied West Bank, across the diaspora, and those surviving in Gaza. The football field has become a platform for national expression and hope.

The Palestine football team’s Arab Cup journey is more than sport. It is a testament to unbreakable spirit, fueled by a mother’s love from a tent in Gaza and celebrated by a nation yearning for normalcy.

Info at your fingertips

What is the Arab Cup?

The Arab Cup is a football tournament contested by national teams from the Arab world. The current edition is being held in Doha, Qatar. It is a significant regional competition.

How has the war affected Palestinian football?

The domestic Palestinian league has been suspended since the war began. The national team trains and plays its matches outside of Palestine. Many players have never set foot in Gaza.

What was the Palestine team’s historic result?

Palestine drew 0-0 with Syria on December 7th, 2025. This result secured their place in the Arab Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history. It followed a famous win over host nation Qatar.

Where does the team coach live?

Head coach Ehab Abou Jazar currently lives in Doha, Qatar. He leads the team from abroad while his family remains in Gaza. He took over the national team in 2024.

Why is this run so emotionally charged?

The team represents a nation under immense duress. Their success provides a rare, unifying point of pride and happiness for Palestinians everywhere, especially for those in Gaza.