KUALA LUMPUR: Are Palestine and Lebanon withdrawing from the Merdeka Tournament from Oct 14-17?
Palestine and Lebanon are in the same 2026 World Cup qualifying group, and both teams may opt to withdraw from the tournament in Bukit Jalil. As of press time, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said it had not received any notification from either team.
Malaysia and India will make up the four-team competition, which is making a return after 10 years. Palestine and Lebanon are in Group I with Australia in the World Cup qualifiers.
FAM secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman said: "We are aware that Palestine and Lebanon are in the same World Cup qualifying group.
"We have not received news that the concerned teams will withdraw from the Merdeka Tournament."
The Merdeka Tournament will be held at the National Stadium, which is undergoing repairs.