Lebanon start their qualification journey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup because the shadow of battle looms giant for them, in addition to their opponents Palestine.
Beneath regular circumstances, Lebanese followers would collect in Beirut to cheer their heroes on in the direction of North America and, maybe, a first-ever look on the worldwide stage.
Nonetheless, these should not regular occasions. The Cedars kick off their marketing campaign in opposition to opponents whose homeland faces incessant bombing by Israel, resulting in the death of 11,500 Palestinians because the battle started on October 7.
Amid considerations that the devastating battle might unfold to Lebanon, the sport has been switched from Beirut to Sharjah within the United Arab Emirates.
For the primary time, the World Cup in 2026 will characteristic at the very least eight groups from Asia as an alternative of the same old 4. As Lebanon made it to the ultimate 12 groups within the qualification spherical in 2022, it might not want an enormous enchancment for them to knock on the doorways of soccer’s massive stage.
“This game could not be played in Lebanon so, unfortunately, it is best that it is where it is right now,” Wael Chehayeb, a member of the Lebanese Soccer Affiliation’s govt committee, informed Al Jazeera.
“Everyone hopes that the war doesn’t expand here [Lebanon] as they can’t afford it.”
Years of mismanagement and allegations of great corruption from political leaders have seen Lebanon’s economic system come near collapse.
The huge explosion at the Beirut port in 2020 resulted in at the very least 218 deaths, accidents to 7,000 others and left greater than 300,000 folks homeless. It additionally precipitated an estimated $3.8-4.6bn in materials injury.
It symbolised the overall malaise within the nation, the place the forex has hit historic lows, energy blackouts are the norm and inflation has hit exhausting, resulting in public mistrust within the authorities.
“There is the economic crisis and add that to the war in the south, which might extend to more areas, people are frightened seeing what’s happening in Gaza and the West Bank,” mentioned Chehayeb.
Chehayeb says that, in such tough occasions, soccer is usually a supply of unity and hope.
The nation erupted in joyous celebrations when Lebanon defeated the mighty South Korea within the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Attending to, and even near, the World Cup could be a monumental achievement for the nation of just about six million.
“The Lebanese people are in a state of worry and uncertainty, so national team’s victories could bring joy to many,” he mentioned.
In the previous couple of months underneath coach Nikola Jurcevic, the Croatian who was appointed final yr, Lebanon have regarded to maneuver away from the pragmatic and defensive model from the 2022 qualification marketing campaign.
A 1-0 win over India in September was sandwiched between three slender defeats away to Thailand, Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates, however there are indicators that issues might enhance.
Battle in Gaza has ‘changed everything’
Whereas the Palestinians proceed to play whereas battle rages at house, there are worries for Lebanon’s gamers, too.
“Our players are focused on making the final round of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2027 Asian Cup, but that does not mean they are unaffected [by the war],” Lebanon’s nationwide staff supervisor Rachid Nassar informed Al Jazeera.
Veteran midfielder Mohamad Haidar is among the many most involved.
The 34-year-old hails from the southern city of Tayr Debba, which is nearer to the border with Israel than the capital, Beirut, and therefore is vulnerable to an Israeli invasion from the south.
Aside from the plain concern for household and mates, Haidar is anxious about enterprise pursuits in Beirut which contain taking part in areas and an academy.
“There is concern about the project and the source of our livelihood,” Haidar mentioned, including that the scenario in Gaza has “changed everything”.
“It’s different and the anxiety is greater, but we will do everything we can to try and shine a light in the darkness and make the Lebanese people happy,” he mentioned.
‘Lebanon and Palestine are equal’
Whereas the nation might do with some sporting success to carry the spirits, the complete soccer set-up in Lebanon wants the nationwide staff to carry out effectively.
As the overall economic system has faltered, the game’s monetary fortunes have adopted and, domestically, there may be little cash accessible.
Native soccer officers informed Al Jazeera that the Lebanese federation was in a position to assist golf equipment financially after the pandemic with income generated from the exploits of the nationwide staff and their prolonged run within the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Lebanon reached the ultimate spherical, which meant 10 further profitable video games in opposition to heavyweights corresponding to Iran and South Korea and further prize cash from FIFA and the Asian Soccer Confederation.
“It’s obvious that the economic crisis affects all sports,” mentioned Rachid.
“The Lebanese Football Association does not receive any help from the government.”
The scenario is way worse now.
Lebanese Premier League video games are performed in empty stadiums as a consequence of safety considerations and the final season led to controversy when a title decider between Al-Ahed and Al-Ansar was halted for at the very least quarter-hour as a consequence of crowd hassle.
It’s no shock then, that gamers search different sources of income as Haidar has.
Nonetheless, one of the best ways for the sport and gamers to earn money within the coming months is to go all the best way to the World Cup.
Within the second spherical which begins on Thursday, 36 groups have been divided into 9 teams of 4. The highest two from every group will advance to the ultimate spherical the place 18 groups will compete for eight computerized World Cup locations.
Lebanon and Palestine are grouped along with Australia and Bangladesh.
Australia, ranked twenty seventh on the earth, are anticipated to be within the lead and Bangladesh (ranked 183rd) might languish on the backside, barring main upsets.
It might go away Lebanon (ranked 104th) and Palestine (ranked 96th) competing for the second spot.
A win in Sharjah could be a giant step in the direction of the ultimate spherical.
“I think Lebanon and Palestine are about equal,” Palestine’s head coach Makram Daboub informed Al Jazeera.
“If we can win this game then it will really help our chances of going to the next stage but we know that Lebanon are thinking the same. It will be a difficult game for both teams.”
