  No optical afterglow was found for the dark burst GRB 981226 and hence no
absorption redshift has been obtained. We here use ground-based and space
imaging observations to analyse the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the
host galaxy. By comparison with synthetic template spectra we determine the
photometric redshift of the GRB 981226 host to be z_phot = 1.11+/-0.06 (68%
confidence level). While the age-metallicity degeneracy for the host SED
complicates the determination of accurate ages, metallicity, and extinction,
the photometric redshift is robust. The inferred z_phot value is also robust
compared to a Bayesian redshift estimator which gives z_phot=0.94+/-0.13. The
characteristics for this host are similar to other GRB hosts previously
examined. Available low resolution spectra show no emission lines at the
expected wavelengths. The photometric redshift estimate indicates an isotropic
energy release consistent with the Amati relation for this GRB which had a
spectrum characteristic of an X-ray flash.
