By GKDSports Team | June 26, 2025
The global football community is voicing strong criticism against FIFA for allegedly sidelining a historic feat achieved by Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali during the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States.
Playing for Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Abou Ali delivered a sensational performance by scoring a perfect hat-trick — a left-footed goal, a right-footed penalty, and a powerful header — in a high-octane Group A clash against FC Porto that ended 4-4. The match, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, witnessed history in the making, as Abou Ali became the first Asian player to score a treble against a European team in an intercontinental club tournament.
Despite the magnitude of his achievement, fans and journalists noticed that FIFA’s official platforms made no mention of Abou Ali’s nationality or his historic performance, sparking a wave of outrage online.
“Waiting for FIFA to acknowledge what Palestine’s Wessam Abou Ali did last night. Or are they going to erase/overlook that as well?” posted Football Palestine, a portal dedicated to Palestinian football.
Adding to the criticism, Moroccan-Spanish journalist Leyla Hamed highlighted FIFA’s inconsistency, stating:
“FIFA publishes stats on any player who scores the first goal for his country in FIFA tournaments… unless he is Palestinian.”
Hamed further supported her claim by sharing posts where FIFA celebrated milestones by other players — including PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the first Georgian to score in a FIFA World Cup or Club World Cup, and Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov, the first Uzbek to participate in such tournaments. Yet, FIFA’s report on Al Ahly vs Porto made no reference to Abou Ali’s nationality.
A Star Who Chose Palestine
Born and raised in Denmark, Abou Ali represented the European nation at youth levels but chose to play for Palestine, his nation of origin, in 2024. He participated in Palestine’s AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Oman, where a last-minute penalty crushed their hopes of advancing to the next round.
Despite these setbacks, Abou Ali’s dedication to Palestine has earned him immense respect. His Club World Cup hat-trick was not just a personal triumph but also a symbolic victory for a nation striving for recognition on the global football stage.
A Missed Opportunity for Inclusion?
With Palestine being one of the 211 FIFA member associations and their men’s national team ranked 101st in the world , fans believe moments like these are crucial for international representation and morale.
FIFA’s silence, whether intentional or not, has reignited concerns about equal recognition and political sensitivities overshadowing sportsmanship. Supporters argue that all players — regardless of nationality — deserve acknowledgment for their contributions to the beautiful game.
As the Club World Cup progresses, eyes remain on FIFA to see whether it will address the backlash and give Wessam Abou Ali the credit he rightfully deserves.
