Football’s governing body invites Palestine to participate in the pan-Arab tournament in Qatar set to be held later this year.

Palestine’s national football team has been invited by FIFA to participate in the Arab Cup to be held in Qatar from December 1 to 18.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrote to Palestinian football chief Jibril Rajoub to extend the global football body’s invitation, the Palestine Football Association said in a statement on Saturday.

“I look forward, Mr. President, to receiving your confirmation of participation, and to welcoming you and your team to Qatar for what promises to be an exceptional celebration of Arab football,” Infantino’s invitation read, according to PFA’s statement.

Acceptance of the invitation will see Palestine play in the Qatari capital yet again, which has served as their home ground on multiple occasions, most recently during the World Cup Qualifiers game against Kuwait.

The Palestinian football team is currently making tremendous strides in its maiden appearance at the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Nicknamed Al-Fida’i, the side is still in contention for a historic spot in the World Cup next year. Favourable results in the two remaining matches will put them in the fourth round, which could trace an indirect route to the tournament in North America.

Why is FIFA ‘inviting’ countries to participate?

Since it falls outside of the FIFA-designated international window, the Arab Cup in Qatar later this year is an invitational one.

The 16-team tournament will include teams from the African and Asian confederations. While it is not mandatory to participate, invited teams from Africa might see the competition as a final preparation ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

For the Arab countries falling under the Asian Football Confederation, it is an opportunity to tee up with other strong national sides.

Further details of the tournament, including stadiums, draw date and tickets, will be announced in due course, according to the local organisers.

Qatar hosted the last edition of the tournament in 2021 in preparation for the World Cup and was announced as the host of the next three editions of the quadrennial tournament last year.

Drawn in a tough group, Palestine managed to salvage a point against Saudi Arabia in the 2021 edition. The side crashed out of the group stages following defeats against Jordan and Morocco.

Algeria eventually emerged victorious in the first pan-Arab tournament under FIFA’s wing, which was previously conducted by the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA).

The defending champions are yet to confirm their participation, while neighbours Tunisia have already accepted FIFA’s invitation to compete in Qatar in December.