Gaza cheers for Spain as World Cup final anticipation mounts

Ahmed al-Bozm knows exactly which team he will support in the World Cup final.

“I’m completely behind Spain because they stood up for Palestine,” the 33-year-old Palestinian said before La Roja’s showdown against Argentina on Sunday.

It’s a view held by many people in the Gaza Strip, driven partly by the Spanish government’s positions during Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians and the public expressions of support by Spanish sporting figures, including Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.

“We love you from Palestine,” al-Bozm said, sending a message to Yamal, who in May waved the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s open-top bus parade after they won the La Liga championship.

“We support you wholeheartedly, and we hope you lift the World Cup trophy and raise the Palestinian flag as well,” he added.

As global anticipation mounts before the final, excitement is also sweeping across Gaza, even though following the tournament has become increasingly difficult after more than two years of Israeli attacks.

“People can only watch a match if electricity happens to be available, but generators shut down because fuel is scarce and too expensive,” said Adnan al-Afifi, a former footballer and stadium manager. “Ordinary Palestinians are paying the price.”

To try to revive a sense of sporting life that has largely disappeared during the war, Afifi has been organising World Cup-themed exhibition matches at the Palestine Sports Club in Gaza City, the only football club still operating and accessible to players in the Strip.
On Thursday and Saturday, the club staged two simulated World Cup matches between teams representing Palestine and Spain.

The events featured referees and even a symbolic video assistant referee (VAR) system to give players a taste of a professional international match.

In May 2024, the Spanish government officially recognised the State of Palestine.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the move was intended to support a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict and help end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis while he also called for a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid.