In the midst of Gaza's war-ravaged landscape, World Cup matches give Palestinians a moment of respite. Rubble-strewn streets are packed with hundreds gathering around temporary giant screens.
Despite power outages and infrastructure problems, the Egyptian Relief Committee placed free screens on the streets, while large supermarkets and phone shops set up outdoor screens with their own generators. Said Abu Avn from Gaza City told the Financial Times that Egyptian and Moroccan flags flutter on these screens.
Enthusiastic Support for Arab Teams
Around 2.1 million people living in Gaza were thrilled especially by the successes of Egypt and Morocco. Egypt reaching the last 16 for the first time in its history sparked a wave of pride. Sports journalist Mustafa Jabir noted that the crowd watching the Egypt-Argentina match was larger than even those seen at Palestinian national team matches.
Egypt's elimination after a 3-2 loss to Argentina caused deep disappointment in Gaza. Mohammed Abu Avn said, 'Now I have to support France, because they're the only team that can beat Argentina.' Morocco's advance to the quarter-finals, however, further boosted support for the 'Atlas Lions'.
Football and Political Solidarity
Football excitement in Gaza is intertwined with support for the Palestinian cause. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan's lap of honor with a Palestinian flag after the win over Australia was widely praised in Gaza. Political analyst Mustafa Ibrahim said the gesture 'created a genuine space of joy and showed that Gaza is not isolated from the Arab world.'
Spain also gained popularity in Gaza due to its harsh criticism of Israel and its formal recognition of Palestine in 2024. Sports journalist Lina al-Masri emphasized that Madrid's political stance increased sympathy for the Spanish team.
Escape Amid the Pain
Ahmed Halawa, 23, told the Financial Times, 'It is impossible to completely forget the war, but watching football together helps us cope with the pain and relax, even for a short time.' 18-year-old Baraa al-Qaisi said he saw the tournament as an escape from harsh reality and an opportunity to release pent-up emotions.
While men and young people gather in public spaces, women watch the matches in damaged homes or private gatherings. Sports journalist Mustafa Jabir in Gaza noted that football is part of daily life, but this World Cup holds special importance because it offers the population a few hours of psychological relief.
The War's Ongoing Destruction
Despite a ceasefire declared last October, Israeli airstrikes continue and reconstruction has not begun. Mohammed al-Wahidi, who coordinated the screen setup for the Egyptian Relief Committee, was killed in an airstrike on a taxi before the Egypt-Argentina match. The same strike killed 10-year-old Hamza and 8-year-old Fadi, two brothers.
Mustafa Siyam, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Sports Media Federation, told Anadolu Agency that around 285 sports facilities in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, and more than 500 sportspeople have been killed. The remaining stadiums have been turned into tent camps sheltering homeless families.
Journalist Mustafa Jabir said, 'Many people outside think the war in Gaza is over, but the reality is very different; airstrikes are still hitting many areas,' adding that the 90-minute matches are the only extraordinary space for Palestinians to assert their right to life.
