Walid Sadi, head of the Algerian Football Federation, declared that Algeria will host a match between Palestine’s national team and Australia’s team on November 21st. This game is part of the second round in Group 9 of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asia Cup.
According to an official statement from the Algerian Football Federation on Sunday, this decision follows directives from the nation’s authorities. Based on a request from the Palestinian Football Federation’s president, Jibril Rajoub, Algeria has chosen to host all of Palestine’s matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the 2027 Asia Cup. Algeria will also cover all related costs for these sports events.
Rajoub expressed his intention to make this request on Algeria International Radio on Saturday, hoping that both FIFA and the Asian Confederation will approve.
Notably, the Palestinian Journalists’ Union reported on Monday that 11 journalists have been killed, and more than 20 others have been injured since the beginning of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, following a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7th.
According to the Palestinian News Agency, the union issued a statement stating that 50 media offices and centers have been targeted by Israeli airstrikes, and two journalists are reported missing. Additionally, around 50 homes belonging to journalists have also been subjected to shelling, with some being completely destroyed and others partially damaged.
The clashes erupted after Palestinian factions in Gaza launched an attack early last week, prompting Israel to launch a military operation in the region. This has resulted in hundreds of casualties on both sides, with thousands injured.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has taken a toll on journalists and media outlets operating in the region. Media workers face significant risks as they cover the events in a dangerous and volatile environment. The casualties among journalists highlight the challenges they face in reporting on the conflict while trying to ensure their safety.
The international community has called for the protection of journalists and the freedom of the press in conflict zones, emphasizing the importance of their role in providing information and shedding light on the situation on the ground.
