Yunan Badarne Joined Palestine U17 National Team
The 16-year-old athlete from Manchester has chosen to represent the Palestine national football squad.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Soccer
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Yunan Badarne, a 16-year-old football player currently residing in Manchester, has joined the Palestine U17 national team. The squad actively recruits players of Palestinian origin from locations including the United States, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Why it matters
The decision follows efforts by Badarne's family to secure international exposure for the young athlete as he pursues a professional career in England. His father indicated that gaining this experience is a strategic move to help his son progress toward a professional contract in the English football system.
Yunan Badarne is 16 years old and has completed 18 months of training at the Manchester City academy. He has also previously spent time with FC United of Manchester, which competes in the seventh tier of English football.
The players
Yunan Badarne
He is a 16-year-old football player who has trained at the Manchester United academy and Manchester City academy.
Arik Benado
He is the current head coach of the Israel U17 national football team.
Anan Khalaili
He is a professional footballer who currently plays for Crystal Palace.
Iyad Khalaili
He is a professional football player who currently plays for Maccabi Haifa.
The details
Badarne holds both Israeli and British passports and was born in Nahariya, Israel. While his father claims he attempted to contact Israel U17 coach Arik Benado regarding his son, the coach denies that he received any messages.
Timeline
Mursi Badarne emigrated to Manchester 15 years ago.
Yunan Badarne joined Manchester United's academy 4 years ago.
The U17 tournament is currently taking place in Aqaba, Jordan.
Season Trajectory
The selection of dual-national players reflects a broader trend of international teams expanding their reach to diaspora communities to bolster competitive depth. This strategy alters the talent landscape for national youth programs by allowing teams to scout globally rather than relying solely on local talent pools.
Badarne is currently targeting a professional move to third-tier English club Stockport County to advance his career. His participation in the U17 tournament serves as a key showcase for professional scouts evaluating talent from diverse international pipelines.
The takeaway
The move underscores the growing trend of young players using international tournaments as a platform to secure professional opportunities abroad. Athletes with dual nationality continue to shift the competitive balance by choosing teams that provide the most direct pathway to elite developmental academies.
Further reading
For more background on international player eligibility, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ynetnews.
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