Palestinians celebrate after Spain’s World Cup win

Spain faced Argentina in a thrilling final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Spain won their second World Cup title after beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 1-0 in extra time.
The Spanish team received the champion trophy from US President Donald Trump. There is a flood of joy across Palestine after Spain’s world victory. Especially in the besieged and war-torn Gaza Strip, the victory was not only a footballing success, but also a unique expression of gratitude for Spain’s historical and political support for the Palestinians.
Gaza, devastated by the Israeli aggression, was without electricity, making it impossible to watch the game in person under tents or rubble. So big screens were set up in various areas of Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians gathered in cafes and open spaces to enjoy the match. As soon as the referee blew the final whistle, the gathering turned into a spontaneous celebration.
Palestinian youth and children took to the streets, waving Spanish flags, to welcome the Spanish team with cheers and applause. Videos circulating on social media showed children from Gaza, the worst-hit by the Israeli atrocities that have been ongoing since October 2023, hugging each other and celebrating this rare moment of joy. Many, including Omani social activist Shaban Ahmed al-Azili, wrote, “Gaza never forgets its friends who stood by its side; this victory is not just a football victory, it is an expression of gratitude from within the pain of destruction and genocide.”
The victory on the football field also received a wide response in Palestinian political circles. In a congratulatory message sent to Spain’s King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the victory a “great global sporting success.”
On behalf of the pro-independence organization Hamas, official Bassem Naim welcomed Spain’s well-deserved victory and congratulated Palestine and its supporters. Hundreds of Palestinians also took to the streets in cities such as Bethlehem, Hebron and Nablus in the occupied West Bank, carrying Spanish and Palestinian flags in victory processions. Palestinian cartoonists Alaa al-Laqta and Mohammed Sabaneh showed solidarity between the two countries by handing over Palestinian flags to Spanish players including Lamine Yamal in their drawings.
Yamal had previously held up the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s La Liga victory celebration.
The main reason for the Palestinians’ unbridled joy is Spain’s tough diplomatic stance towards the Palestinian state. In May 2024, Spain officially recognized the Palestinian state, which angered Israel. Madrid then took drastic measures, including imposing an arms embargo on Israel from 2025, tightening restrictions on settlements, and withdrawing its ambassador from Tel Aviv.
Recently, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the European Union to suspend relations with Israel and announced an increase in development funds for Palestine. On the other hand, Argentina’s defeat in the final was another source of relief for the Palestinians, as the current Argentine President Javier Milli has expressed unconditional support for Israel, although a large part of the Argentine general public sympathizes with the Palestinians.
Palestinian journalist Alaa Rimawi noted that Israeli media and officials wished for Spain’s defeat for political reasons, and an Israeli rabbi even prayed for Spain’s defeat. Amidst all the hostility and hardship of the war, Spain’s world victory brought a piece of joy to the Palestinians and a unique opportunity to express gratitude to their friends who stood by them on the world stage.

Source: Anadolu Agency.