Diplomatic Relations a Hurdle for Afghanistan v. Palestine

Afghanistan play-offs against Palestine might see problems due to diplomatic relations. Palestine is going to host Afghanistan on July 3rd, but Afghanistan might not be able to get into West Bank to play Palestine, unless the match is played in a neutral place.

Afghanistan does not recognize Isreal as a state and therefore does not have any diplomatic relations with Isreal which is a requirement for applying visa to enter Palestine. It is also mentionable that contacting any level of Israeli authorities by Afghanistan Football Federation may face a lot of criticism inside Afghanistan. Some years ago, an e-mail was sent mistakenly to Isreali Embassy in Berlin for the ceremony of Afghanistan's Independence Day by a Secretary of Afghanistan Mission in Berlin which costed the job of the Secretary. She could not come back to Afghanistan due to a lot of creaticism by media and religious scholars.

Since Afghanistan might not be given the right to host Palestine in Kabul, it would be wise that Palestine host the return leg in a neutral place. The countries like Iran, Tajikestan or Pakistan might be good options for both countries.

Afghanistan hosted Syria in their last world cup qualifier return leg in Tajikestan.