World Cup 2026: Israeli pop star targets Spain while Brazil's squad returns with only one player

Israeli singer Noa Kirel released a music video ahead of the 2026 World Cup in which she, dressed as a goalkeeper, repeatedly stops penalty kicks from a figure representing Spain's national team. The clip has been interpreted as a jab at Spain’s stance on the Gaza conflict and has drawn attention on social media.

Following Brazil’s elimination from the same tournament, the team’s chartered flight back to the United States arrived with just one player, Flamengo forward Danilo, aboard. The rest of the delegation either stayed in North America or departed for other destinations, highlighting internal tensions within the Brazilian squad after their defeat.

Both incidents underscore the heightened emotions and off‑field narratives surrounding the quad‑nation World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.