Why Palestinians in Gaza are celebrating Spain’s World Cup win

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that thousands of Palestinians gathered in locations across Gaza to watch the World Cup final and that many supported Spain, celebrating the Spanish victory as a sign of gratitude for what they view as Madrid’s backing of Palestinians. The video report was published on July 20, 2026, under the headline “Why Palestinians in Gaza are celebrating Spain’s World Cup win.”

According to the outlet, the scenes reflected more than ordinary football fandom. Many viewers in Gaza were described as backing Spain because of the country’s public stance during Israel’s war in the territory, which Al Jazeera characterized in its report as genocidal. The supplied text does not specify the match score, the opposing team, the exact viewing sites, or the names of any Palestinians interviewed.

The episode matters because international sports events often become a venue for political identification, especially in places experiencing war and displacement. Spain’s perceived support appears to have made its team a symbolic favorite for some Palestinians in Gaza, turning the final into a moment of collective expression as well as a sporting event.

Contextually, Spain has been among European countries that have taken a more critical public line toward Israel’s conduct in Gaza than some allies, and Madrid has supported diplomatic recognition of Palestinian statehood. Those broader positions may help explain why Spanish success resonated with some Palestinian viewers, though the specific reactions described here are those reported by Al Jazeera.