The Palestinian national team initially only played abroad. In 2008, the first FIFA-compatible home stadium was inaugurated in Al-Ram near the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, with artificial turf and 6,000 seats. However, due to the often-tense situation in Palestinian territories, some home games have subsequently been played abroad.
Just like in Israel, football was suspended in the Palestinian territories after the latest conflict started. This has meant that members of the Palestinian national team haven't been able to play matches, something training alone can't fully compensate for. Like the Israeli national team, the Palestinian team too have been forced to look for safe alternative venues in which to play their upcoming international matches. The PFA also withdrew the national team from the Merdeka tournament in Malaysia last month. The Palestinians had been hoping to use that tournament, which featured the hosts, Malaysia, India and the eventual winners Tajikistan, as a tune-up for their World Cup qualifying matches in Lebanon and at home to Australia. Due to Israel's military conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and with Hezbollah in Lebanon, both matches have been moved abroad.
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