Palestinian Football Federation

National football association

Founded = 1962
FIFA affiliation = 1998
Region = AFC
Region affiliation = 1998
Website = http://www.palfa.com
President = Jibril RajoubThe Palestinian Football Federation ( _ar. الاتحاد الفلسطيني لكرة القدم) is the governing body for football in the Palestinian Authority, and for the Palestine national football team (who do not play in the Palestinian territories). It was also the original name for what is now the Israel Football Association.

Football gained mass popularity in Palestine during British Occupation, and the PFF was formed in 1928. Participation in the qualifiers for the 1934 World Cup gave Palestine (or Palestine/Eretz Israel as the team was known) the distinction of being the first Asian team in any stage of the World Cup. Subsequent to the establishment of Israel in 1948, the PFF became the Israel Football Association. It should be noted that both the Israel Football Association and the PFF count the 5 international matches played by Palestine/Eretz Israel between 1934-1940 in their record.

A new PFF was formed in 1962, but was not accepted by FIFA until 1998, following the creation of the Palestinian Authority.

The PFF is a member of FIFA and the AFC.

ee also

*West Bank Premier League
*Gaza Strip League

External links

* [http://www.palfa.com/ PFF website (in Arabic)]
* [http://www.the-afc.com/english/national/default_NA.asp?nationalID=80 PFF section of the AFC website]
* [http://www.fifa.com/en/organisation/confederations/associationdetails/0,1483,PLE,00.html?countrycode=PLE FIFA website]