, June 16 -- A dramatic and emotionally charged World Cup qualifying journey for Palestine came to a heartbreaking conclusion last Thursday in Amman, when a late penalty decision shattered their dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite the setback, the legacy of this team remains a powerful symbol of hope and pride.

The Palestinian national team, led by forward Oday Dabbagh, walked off the pitch in tears after a controversial penalty awarded in stoppage time led to a 1-1 draw against Oman-eliminating them from contention. The game, held at King Abdullah II Stadium, had seen Palestine leading until the dying seconds.

"It's incredibly painful," Dabbagh told the Associated Press. "We gave everything. We were well-prepared, had g...