Tue Mar 25 22:10:07 UTC 2025: ## Palestinian Football Team Scores Historic Victory Over Iraq in World Cup Qualifier
**Amman, Jordan –** Palestine pulled off a stunning upset Tuesday, defeating Iraq 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup qualifier at Amman International Stadium. This historic win marks Palestine’s first victory at this stage of Asian qualifiers and keeps their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals alive.
Iraq took the lead in the 34th minute with a header from Aymen Hussein. However, Palestine mounted a spirited second-half comeback, equalizing in the 88th minute with a header from Abou Ali. Then, in the fifth minute of added time, Ameed Mahajneh scored the winning goal, also a header from a corner kick, sealing a memorable victory.
The win propels Palestine from the bottom of Group B to fifth place with six points, just one point behind Kuwait. Iraq, considered a group favorite, remains in third place with 12 points. The top two teams in each group automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the third and fourth-place teams advance to a playoff round.
Palestine now sits four points behind fourth-placed Oman with two matches remaining. Their next game is against Kuwait on June 5th, followed by a crucial match against Oman on June 10th, which could decide fourth place and a playoff berth. This remarkable win builds on Palestine’s recent success, including their first-ever appearance in the knockout stages of the Asian Cup earlier this year.
First Piper 