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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Sport
John Duerden

2026 World Cup qualifier: Football ‘can bring joy’ to Lebanon amid Gaza war

Lebanon players line up during the national anthems before the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup match at Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar [File: Suhaib Salem/Reuters]

Lebanon begin their qualification journey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the shadow of war looms large for them, as well as their opponents Palestine.

Under normal circumstances, Lebanese fans would gather in Beirut to cheer their heroes on towards North America and, perhaps, a first-ever appearance on the global stage.

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