Palestinian cause gains global support at 2026 World Cup

The Palestinian national soccer team is absent from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, yet fans, players and coaches from dozens of countries—including Egypt, Scotland, Brazil, South Korea, Morocco, Mexico, Turkey, Norway, Senegal, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, Algeria and Spain—have displayed Palestinian flags, worn jerseys and chanted “Free Palestine” in stadiums and surrounding streets. Banners such as “Kick Israel Out of FIFA” and “Red Card Israel” have also appeared, reflecting broader criticism of FIFA’s governance.

The displays occur against the backdrop of the Israel‑Hamas war that began after the October 7, 2023 attacks, a conflict that has killed over 73,000 people, mostly civilians, according to international experts. During the tournament, an Israeli strike killed Egyptian humanitarian worker Mohammed al‑Wahidi, two children and another person before an Argentina‑Egypt match, underscoring the war’s reach into the sporting arena. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan urged athletes to use football’s soft power to demand Palestinian lives, while journalist Dina El‑Kurd warned that symbolic gestures alone will not restore homes but can build lasting pressure.