Palestine is not a participant in the World Cup, yet the tournament has become a platform for political expressions involving the Palestinian flag. This was notably highlighted when Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, celebrated by waving a Palestinian flag after his team’s win against Australia in the Round of 32 match. This took place at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, United States, on July 3, 2026.
“My heart and soul are with them,” Hassan expressed during his post-match interview. “I dedicate this victory to the Palestinians. May Allah grant them victory and have mercy on their martyrs.”
The gesture sparked significant discussion on social media, going viral with chants of “Free, free Palestine!” heard in the background. Hassan dedicated the victory to both Egyptian and Palestinian people, describing them as “good and noble.”
During the tournament, viewers noted the presence of Palestinian flags at various matches. This raised questions about FIFA’s regulations on political symbols, especially as Israeli flags have reportedly been banned. These incidents have highlighted perceived discrepancies in flag policies at the tournament.
FIFA has yet to comment publicly or respond to media inquiries about this matter. The organization’s President, Gianni Infantino, was pictured with officials from both the Israeli and Palestinian Football Associations at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada in April 2026.
As the tournament progresses, Egypt is preparing to face Argentina and Lionel Messi in their round of 16 match in Atlanta. The interaction between politics and sports continues to be a contentious topic during this World Cup.
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