Australia is set to donate a substantial portion of their match fees from the World Cup 2026 qualifier against Palestine in Kuwait City to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
The Socceroos’ contribution, a five-figure sum, will be channelled through the Professional Footballers Australia Footballers’ Trust and will be directed to Oxfam.
Additionally, Football Australia will match this donation. Originally scheduled to take place in the West Bank, the venue was changed to the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait following Israeli forces’ attacks on Gaza in response to an October 7 assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel.
Israel claims that Hamas is responsible for the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of about 240 hostages. In contrast, Gaza health authorities assert that over 11,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli counteroffensive.
In terms of football, Australia, ranked 27th globally and fourth in Asia, leads their qualifying group after a decisive 7-0 victory over Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Palestine, ranked 96th globally, holds the third position following a draw with Lebanon.