The triumph of the Spanish football team in the World Cup has sparked jubilant celebrations across Gaza, where the nation’s backing of Palestinian rights contrasted sharply with Israel’s support for Argentina, transforming the event into a significant political statement.
In cafes and at outdoor viewing areas, Palestinians gathered to cheer for a team that has captured their admiration, defiantly facing the threat of Israeli airstrikes.
Many supporters waved Spanish flags, honoring the teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who famously displayed a Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s La Liga victory celebrations in May.
“Whoever raises the Palestinian flag deserves to raise the World Cup,” the Gaza al-Irada amputee football team expressed in a video message directed at the Spanish squad prior to the match.
Saadi al-Masri, 40, who leads the amputee team in Gaza, watched the final alongside friends at a cafe. “I support Spain because we see it as a country that stands with the Palestinian cause and supports Palestinian rights,” he remarked.
Spain has emerged as one of the most vocal European critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the systemic violence in the occupied West Bank. The Spanish government is advocating for stronger European Union measures to address human rights violations, which includes calls for suspending a significant free trade agreement.
When Israel’s defense minister criticized Yamal for his show of support, accusing him of inciting hatred, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez swiftly came to the young player’s defense.
“Lamine has only expressed the solidarity with Palestine that is felt by millions of us in Spain. Another reason to be proud of him,” he stated on social media.
Israeli backing for Argentina was prominently represented by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has fostered a close relationship with far-right President Javier Milei and shared well-wishes for Argentina prior to the final match.
The Palestinian mission to the United Nations responded by sharing a photo of the Spanish team, captioned with the words “Honestly, I felt like I was about to cry from happiness,”
Despite the prevailing excitement, many fans in Gaza have faced challenges in keeping track of the matches throughout the World Cup, as the majority of the 2 million residents live in tent camps due to the destruction of their homes by Israeli attacks, with limited access to power or internet.
Arkan al-Walaida, 23, sought out match highlights each morning at internet cafes, searching for short clips on platforms like TikTok or FIFA’s official YouTube and Instagram accounts.
Upon learning of Spain’s victory on Monday, she was overwhelmed with emotion. “We see their support as a sign of humanity.” she shared. “We were very happy when the final whistle confirmed Spain’s victory,”
Al-Masri was among the crowd in the cafe, filled with excitement at Spain’s victory as the final whistle blew. “We were very happy when the final whistle confirmed Spain’s victory,” he reflected, though the fear of Israeli airstrikes prevented any late-night celebrations.
Earlier in July, an Israeli bomb killed Mohamed al-Wahidi, a Palestinian aid worker who had organized screenings of World Cup matches in Gaza.
The strike, which occurred just before the game between Egypt and Argentina, also took the lives of two brothers aged eight and ten, as well as another man. The Israeli military confirmed the strike but contended that al-Wahidi was not the target.
