Palestinians in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank hold public celebrations after Spain wins the World Cup, gathering to watch the final on screens or gather at cafes and outdoor venues. Across the territory, thousands of people cheer and celebrate Spain’s victory, with many framing their support for the Spanish team as tied to Spain’s public backing for Palestinian rights. Multiple outlets describe the event as drawing large crowds despite the risks and tensions in the region, including the possibility of Israeli attacks, particularly in Gaza.
The Guardian reports that the World Cup match becomes more than a sports event for many supporters, linking their enthusiasm to Spain’s stance on Palestinian issues and contrasting it with Israel’s perceived support for Argentina, Spain’s opponent in the final. Al Jazeera similarly describes widespread celebrations throughout Gaza, where attendees back Spain and treat the win as a moment of shared pride. While the coverage focuses on emotion and public gatherings, all sources agree that the celebrations are widespread, occur in Gaza and parts of the West Bank, and are strongly associated with Spain’s support for Palestinians.