Gaza Marks Spain’s World Cup Triumph With Particular Meaning
When Spain were confirmed as 2026 World Cup champions, the celebrations stretched well beyond the streets of Madrid. In Gaza, Palestinians gathered at cafes and outdoor screenings to watch a team they had come to regard as their own — despite the constant risk of Israeli airstrikes.
According to The Guardian, the tournament had taken on a political dimension in Gaza from early on. Spain has been one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and violence in the occupied West Bank, and has pushed the European Union to consider suspending its free trade agreement with Israel over human rights concerns. By contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly supported Argentina, Spain’s opponents in the final, reflecting his close relationship with Argentina’s far-right president Javier Milei.
Much of the goodwill towards Spain was also driven by teenage Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who brought a Palestinian flag to the club’s La Liga title celebrations back in May. When Israel’s defence minister accused Yamal of inciting hatred, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was swift to back his player, writing that Yamal had “expressed the solidarity with Palestine that is felt by millions of us in Spain.”
Saadi al-Masri, 40, captain of the Gaza al-Irada amputee football team, watched the final with friends.