This is quite a special football match that will be played on Saturday, November 15, at 20:30, in Bilbao (Spain). At a time when European speakers will vibrate with the 5th meetinge qualifying day for the 2026 World Cup – held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico – the San Mamés stadium will see the Basque selection take on Palestine. This duel had no sporting implications: the first team was not recognized at international level and the second team, competing in the Asian zone, failed to validate its ticket to next summer’s tournament.
However, the meeting was very symbolic. Until now, Palestinian footballers have never played a match on the Old Continent. Their big premiere, Ehab Abu Jazar’s players will do so in a packed stadium. According to local media, more than 50,000 places were sold in just three weeks – the highest attendance recorded at a Basque election meeting. Most importantly, all proceeds generated from ticket sales will be donated to humanitarian associations active in the Gaza Strip, where the situation remains critical despite the ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist movement Hamas coming into effect on October 10.
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