Junior Dina Abdeen plays for the Palestine Women’s National Football team.

Abdeen’s motivation for playing soccer began with wanting to follow her brother’s footsteps and turned into a form of resistance.
“My parents wanted me to do ballet,” Abdeen chuckled. “However, I would always go to my brother’s practices and I just wanted to play with him.”
She first kicked a soccer ball at four years old, and in February 2024 at age 17, she was competing internationally for the Palestinian Women’s National Football team.
Abeen’s parents were born and raised in Palestine and all her distant relatives live there. Every summer, Abdeen’s family would travel to Palestine, and in order to stay active, she found a club team to play with. She made connections with the players.
“The club team introduced me to the National team’s coach, and he asked me to compete with them,” said Abdeen.
“Before the National team I just wanted to win. Now that I am playing for Palestine, I am trying to spread a message and prove our existence,” expressed Abdeen.
On May 15, the team played an Irish professional football club, Bohemian Football Club (F.C.) in Dublin, Ireland. The Palestinian Women’s National Football team won the match 2-1. Ireland officially recognized a Palestinian state on May 24.
“Playing in Ireland was so much fun, everyone was so supportive. We would walk around with our Palestine merch and people would stop us and tell us they support us. It was a very welcoming place,” said Abeen.

Four Palestinian Women’s National Football players are currently living in Palestine and are unable to leave. During the game against Bohemian F.C., position changes had to be made.
“Players from outside of Palestine are not allowed in, so we have difficulty being able to practice and get the team together,” expressed Abdeen.
Playing for the Palestinian Women’s National Football team requires missing school. Abdeen explains that her teachers have been communicative and supportive.
Abdeen’s parents are also supportive and express pride in her.
“My mom is always pushing me to do my best, and both my parents fly out to see me play,” said Abdeen.
Abdeen believes the team is sending a message to the world for the Palestinian people.
“We weren’t really a big team. Now with everything going on, when we win [games], I think Palestinians feel joy and hope, ” Abdeen expressed.
Abdeen has also played for the WS girls varsity soccer team since her freshman year.
After high school, Abdeen plans on attending a university and studying in the field of medicine. She will continue playing for the Palestinian Women’s National Football team, and if given the opportunity, will play for her college.