Why Gaza cheered for Spain
World Cup victory becomes a symbol of solidarity

Gazans gathered in makeshift cafes to watch Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final, celebrating both the victory and Spain’s support for Palestine.

-Residents described the celebrations as an expression of gratitude toward a country widely seen as standing with Palestinians during Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

-The final capped months of symbolic gestures linking Spanish football and Palestinian solidarity, from Gaza’s amputee football team to supporters and players in Spain.

More than football

For a few hours on Sunday night, the sounds of war gave way to football. Across the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, small crowds gathered inside makeshift cafes, their attention fixed on flickering television screens broadcasting the FIFA World Cup final from MetLife Stadium in the United States.

When Spain’s Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 105th minute, beating Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to secure a 1-0 victory after extra time, celebrations erupted.

For many in Gaza, however, the celebrations extended far beyond the football pitch.

People who gathered to watch the match said they supported Spain not only because of its football but because the country has increasingly come to symbolize solidarity with the Palestinian people during Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Football offers a brief escape

The World Cup final provided a rare moment of relief for Palestinians living under relentless bombardment, displacement and humanitarian hardship.

For several hours, football replaced the daily realities of survival, allowing families and friends to come together despite the difficult conditions.

Numan Abdullah, one of the spectators in Nuseirat, told Anadolu news agency that residents intentionally gathered to support Spain because of the country’s long-standing support for Palestinians.

“We came together to support Spain because it has stood by the Palestinian people for years,” he said.

Abdullah added that the gathering also carried a broader message of peace and solidarity with nations that have stood alongside the Palestinian cause, adding that Palestinians simply want to live in peace.

Spain’s victory secured the country’s second FIFA World Cup title, its first since winning the tournament in South Africa in 2010. The result also denied Argentina and Lionel Messi a second consecutive World Cup triumph following their victory in Qatar in 2022.

A growing bond between Spain and Palestine

The celebrations in Gaza reflected a broader relationship that has developed between Spanish football and expressions of solidarity with Palestine throughout the tournament and in recent months.

Following Sunday’s final, videos circulated on social media showing supporters celebrating across Spain while waving Palestinian flags and chanting in support of Palestine, according to Quds News Network.

The scenes followed similar displays after Spain’s semifinal victory over France, when members of Gaza’s Irada Team—a football team made up of Palestinian amputees—publicly thanked the Spanish national team for raising the Palestinian flag following the match.

Those gestures reinforced the sense among many Palestinians that Spain’s success had become intertwined with public expressions of support for Gaza.

Beyond the final whistle

The connection between Spanish football and Palestinian solidarity predates the World Cup itself.

In May, Barcelona star Lamine Yamal attracted widespread attention after waving a large Palestinian flag during the club’s open-top bus parade celebrating its La Liga title following victory over Real Madrid in El Clásico.

The gesture by one of football’s brightest young stars was widely praised by supporters and became another symbolic moment linking Spanish football with public support for Palestine.

For many Palestinians in Gaza, Sunday’s victory represented not only success on the football field but also a reminder that, even amid one of the darkest chapters in their history, gestures of solidarity from around the world continue to carry profound meaning.

Spain’s political support for Gaza

Since the beginning of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Spain has emerged as one of Europe’s most outspoken supporters of Palestinian rights. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has repeatedly condemned the scale of Israel’s actions, calling for an immediate ceasefire, expanded humanitarian aid and accountability under international law.

In May 2024, Spain formally recognized the State of Palestine alongside Ireland and Norway, arguing that recognition was essential to preserving the viability of a Palestinian state. Since then, Madrid has continued to advocate for stronger international action to halt the genocide in Gaza, frequently placing it at odds with other Western governments.

Spain has also suspended new arms export licenses to Israel and has consistently urged the European Union to review its relations with Israel in light of alleged violations of international humanitarian law. Spanish officials have likewise expressed support for the work of international judicial institutions investigating alleged war crimes committed during the genocide in Gaza.

–Romana Rubeo is an Italian writer and the managing editor of The Palestine Chronicle. Her articles appeared in many online newspapers and academic journals. She holds a Master’s Degree in Foreign Languages and Literature and specializes in audio-visual and journalism translation.