Gaza celebrates World Cup victory of Spanish team they took into their hearts

Residents in Gaza marked Spain’s World Cup triumph with street celebrations and screenings that reflected more than sporting enthusiasm, according to a monitored public feed citing The Guardian Football.

Crowds gathered at cafes and outdoor viewing areas to watch the match, despite the risks of Israeli attacks, and many Palestinians backed the Spanish side throughout the tournament. The feed says Spain’s public support for Palestinian rights helped make the team a favorite in Gaza, while Israel’s support for Argentina added a political edge to the contest for some viewers.

The celebrations turned Spain’s victory into a moment of shared pride for people who had followed the team closely and, in the words of the feed summary, “took it into their hearts.” The gatherings highlighted how international football can carry political meaning well beyond the pitch, especially in places where sport becomes one of the few collective distractions available during conflict.

Based on the limited details available in the monitored public feed, the scene in Gaza appeared to be one of defiance as much as celebration: fans came together publicly to cheer for a team they viewed as aligned with their own cause. The feed does not provide further details on the scale of the gatherings or any incidents linked to them.

Source: The Guardian Football - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/21/gaza-celebrates-world-cup-victory-of-spanish-team-they-took-into-their-hearts