Gaza fans celebrate Spain’s 1-0 World Cup win over Argentina

Palestinians in Gaza celebrated Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, gathering at makeshift viewing spots and cheering in videos shared online. In the central Gaza Strip, spectators paid 10 shekels to watch the match at an open-air venue set up by Haitham Zidan, who relied on locally generated electricity as power cut out four times during the game. After the final whistle, people waved Spanish flags, lifted chairs and applauded. The support went beyond soccer: Spain recognized Palestinian statehood in 2024 and has been one of Europe’s sharpest critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Celebrations were also reported in Spain, where some fans waved Palestinian flags.