Spain’s victory over Argentina in the World Cup final sparked celebrations across Gaza, where support for the Spanish team was deeply intertwined with political sentiments. In a region marked by ongoing conflict and hardship, many Palestinians embraced Spain as a symbol of solidarity with their cause, contrasting with Israel’s open backing of Argentina.
On Sunday, crowds gathered in packed cafes and public screenings throughout Gaza, risking potential Israeli military actions to cheer for Spain. Many waved Spanish flags, reflecting admiration not only for the team but also for Lamine Yamal, the teenage Barcelona player who in May had prominently displayed a Palestinian flag during celebrations for a La Liga victory. Gaza al-Irada, a local amputee football team, had posted a video message before the final expressing support for Spain, stating, “Whoever raises the Palestinian flag deserves to raise the World Cup.”
Saadi al-Masri, 40, captain of the Gaza team, watched the match in a cafe alongside friends. “I support Spain because we see it as a country that stands with the Palestinian cause and supports Palestinian rights,” he said. Spain’s political stance aligns with this public sentiment. The Spanish government has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, advocating for increased European Union measures, including potential suspension of a free trade agreement, to pressure Israel over alleged human rights violations.
The political dimension of the tournament was highlighted following Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz’s condemnation of Yamal’s display of the Palestinian flag, which he described as “inciting hatred.” In contrast, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the player, emphasizing that Yamal’s solidarity with Palestine is widely shared in Spain and praising him as a source of national pride.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly supported Argentina, a team favored by some in Israel, including far-right Argentine President Javier Milei, who maintains strong ties with Netanyahu. Ahead of the final, Netanyahu extended well-wishes to the Argentine squad. Meanwhile, the Palestinian UN delegation issued a statement featuring the Spanish team under the label “world champions,” underscoring the symbolic weight of Spain’s victory for Palestinians.
Access to the World Cup matches posed challenges for many in Gaza, where electricity and internet services are limited for the roughly two million residents, most living in overcrowded and impoverished conditions. Arkan al-Walaida, 23, resorted to visiting internet cafes each morning to catch up on match highlights throughout the tournament. Upon learning of Spain’s win, she described feeling overwhelmed with happiness, seeing it as “a sign of humanity.”
Despite the joy following the final whistle, celebrations remained cautious. “We were very happy when the final whistle confirmed Spain’s victory,” al-Masri said, “but fear of airstrikes meant there were no late-night parties.” The event resonated far beyond sport, reflecting the complex intersection of identity and politics in the region.