After being mobbed by adoring Perth fans following a sold-out World Cup qualifier against the Socceroos, Mohammed Saleh takes a moment to collect his thoughts.
Halfway around the world, in Gaza, the 30-year-old Palestinian defender’s homeland has been devastated by a raging war.
It is hard to imagine a greater contrast.
“We lost a lot of people: my uncle, my aunt, my aunt’s children and their children, and we lost our home,” he said.
“I lost a lot of friends I played football with and my assistant coach.
“The house can be replaced, but not them.”
Football is now a mission
While the Socceroos crushed the team 5-0 in Perth on Tuesday, Saleh has seen worse days, having already witnessed three wars in his early 20s.
In the early stages of the Due to the conflict between Israel and Gaza, Saleh had a hard time playing football. But today, he has made it his mission to play for the Palestinian people.
“That’s my biggest motivation because I’m playing for them and for their souls,” he told the ABC, speaking through an interpreter.
Australia’s Kusini Yengi runs with the ball under pressure from Mohammed Saleh. (AAP Photos: Richard Wainwright)
His father and brother were displaced and are currently living in tents in a camp in Gaza after their home was destroyed.
“I haven’t spoken to my father in a month and a half,” he said.
“My older brother has to go somewhere every few days to get internet and send me a message.
“It affected me a lot… they are always on my mind and I always worry about them.”
Intended to play
Palestine’s past successes on the pitch have secured them a place in the next round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, a historic first for the team.
Playing football from a young age, Saleh knew he was destined for a career in the sport.
He remembers watching the Palestinian national football team at the Arab Games when he was six years old and decided from that moment on that he wanted to play for Palestine.
Fans will see Palestine play again in September. (AAP Photos: Richard Wainwright)
He left Gaza in 2015 and now lives in Egypt with his wife and daughter.
According to the United Nations, more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Hamas attack on October 7.
The militant group killed about 1,200 Israelis and took about 250 hostage.
The war has been going on for eight months and there is no sign of it abating.
“It’s really difficult”
Spanish-Palestinian player Yaser Hamed shared the spotlight in the Perth match.
Although he lives miles away from the conflict in Spain, he says watching his father’s family suffer in the southern Gaza town of Rafah leaves him helpless.
Yaser Hamed described the team’s success on the field as a historic achievement. (ABC News: Herlyn Kaur)
“The videos and everything they send me, it’s a difficult situation, really difficult, and I suffer when I see it,” he said.
“I send money and try to help them, but now, even if they have money, it’s not enough, you know.”
The Palestinian team last played at home in 2019 and have since played 28 away games.
Palestinian fans were enthusiastic during the men’s World Cup qualifier in Perth between Australia and Palestine. (AAP Photos: Richard Wainwright)
Team captain Mohammed Rashid said not being able to play in front of his home crowd was “the hardest part”.
“The last time we played Saudi Arabia at home, the hall was full, people were climbing trees to watch the game.
“Seeing that at home really gives you a lot of energy and motivation.”
Fans gathered after the match to show their support for the Palestinian team in Perth. (ABC News: Herlyn Kaur)
Along with 17 other teams, including Australia, Palestine has qualified for the third round of qualifying which will begin in September.
Hamed says the team has been strengthened by encouraging messages.
“Now, thanks to this historic achievement, they are getting some happiness back in their lives,” he said.
President denied visa
While Australia and many other Western countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom do not officially recognise the State of Palestine, FIFA, the world governing body of football, granted the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) full membership status in 1998.
As of June 2024, 146 of the 193 United Nations member states have recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, with the most recent countries being Spain, Ireland and Norway.
Last week, PFA chairman Jibril Rajoub was due to travel with the team to Perth for the match against the Socceroos, but he did not obtain a visa from the Australian authoritiescausing controversy.
Firas Abu Hilal addressed the controversy surrounding Jibril Rajoub’s visa issues. (ABC News: Herlyn Kaur)
Secretary Firas Abu Hilal said he had been told that Mr Rajoub’s presence “was not considered important”.
“He’s the leader of the team, he’s like a father to the players… it’s had a big impact on them,” he said.
Mr Hilal said he was proud of the team’s achievements in the face of great adversity.
“(The qualifications) are proof that the Palestinian people and the Palestinian sportsmanship will defend and fight for their freedom and continue to put a smile on the faces of Palestinian children, the elderly and women of Palestine.”
For Saleh, staying in the competition is a temporary antidote to the tragedies unfolding in his country.
“Despite the difficult times, I am determined to share my message as a player,” he said.
“No matter what happens, we are the people of justice, we are the people of the land, and we will continue to fight as the team of Palestine.”
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