Palestino Soccer Academy Offers Refuge Through Sport

On a hot Saturday evening in Northern New Jersey, approximately 60 young athletes took to the field at Frank D Zaccaria Memorial Park in Woodland Park. These children, residents of Passaic County, are part of the Palestino Soccer Academy. Founded three years ago, the club primarily serves the Palestinian-American community and extends its doors to participants from various backgrounds.

Taim Nadin, a 13-year-old from Qatar, expressed the profound role soccer plays in his life. “Without soccer,” he said during a brief water break, “life holds no meaning. If I didn’t play soccer, I’d be nothing.” This sentiment resonates among many children at the academy.

Coach Omar Abdulaziz reflects on the emotional challenges faced by children impacted by the conflict in Gaza. He notes that the academy started to impart lessons about soccer in Palestinian culture while addressing these emotional struggles. Having moved from the West Bank to Puerto Rico in the 1980s, Abdulaziz understands their plight well. He describes soccer as a way to “disconnect, a moment of tranquility, to detach from the suffering of reality.”

For these children, soccer provides an escape from the harsh realities they face. The Palestinian national team did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and ongoing conflicts have severely impacted sports infrastructure in Gaza. Reports indicate that 90% of sports facilities are destroyed, with 450 individuals involved in sports killed in attacks.

The boys in New Jersey turn to other teams and players for inspiration, notably 18-year-old Lamine Yamal from Spain. Yamal, a striker for Spain and FC Barcelona, is admired for both his skill and advocacy against anti-Muslim chants at soccer games. His gesture of holding a Palestinian flag during a celebratory parade made a significant impact on these young players, many of whom have set it as wallpaper on their phones.

Obaida Al Amleh, 14, whose family suffered tragic losses in an airstrike, described how soccer helps him process emotions. “When you play, you forget everything else,” he said. On receiving the devastating news about his family, Obaida felt compelled to head to the soccer field, finding solace in the game. “We just played for hours,” he explained, shedding stress on the field.

Soccer in Woodland Park transcends the game itself, providing these children with community, support, and an emotional outlet.

NPR’s Anas Baba provided additional reporting from Gaza.