New rules grant QSL clubs an extra slot for Palestine National Team players.
The early resolution gives a measure of relief for several Qatar based players who spent much of the last two seasons in limbo
In a boost to Palestine’s 2027 AFC Asian Cup preparation the Qatar Football Association (QFA) announced a new rule change for the upcoming Qatar Stars League (QSL) season. Since 2024, several teams have been able to sign Palestine national team players through the use of an exemption which granted them an extra slot on top of the five foreign players each club can sign.
The mechanism for securing an exemption was opaque and oftentimes not granted to clubs not in good administrative standing. The intervention of several non-football officials was needed on more than one occasion over the past two years to ensure Palestinians could play in Qatar.
The decision was announced in a press release put out by the QFA and signed by General Secretary Mansour Mohammed Al-Ansari.
The press release did go onto clarify that in spite of the separate categorization any Palestinian player will be counted towards the maximum of five that can be on the pitch in a QSL match.
For the second straight season the QFA have changed the rules when it comes to foreign players. In a move that mirrored the Saudi Pro League, ten foreigners were allowed to be registered at each club last season.
For the 2026/27 season that number has been reduced to five. QSL clubs will also be mandated to keep two young talents on the pitch at all times.
The foreign player rule will be loosened in the second division which has been rebranded as QSL 2. For that competition, eight foreign players will be allowed on the pitch. The competition will also expand to include the reserve teams of QSL clubs who meet competition requirements.
Presumably, several clubs will now be left with a choice as to how to handle Palestinian players already on their books. Rami Hamadi should be the most in demand given the lack of elite goalkeeping in the country. Qatar SC will most likely have to choose between Musab Al-Battat and Ataa Jaber. Al-Rayyan will also have to make a choice between Amid Mahajna and Mohammed Saleh. Al-Shammal are the other club that had registered two Palestinians last year- Michel Termanini and Tamer Seyam.
If a QSL club wants to sign two Palestinian players then one will occupy one of the foreign player spots.
In response to the news, the Palestine Football Association formally thanked the QFA for their support in addition to Egypt which has allowed clubs to register Palestinian players as local players.