Palestine is not participating in the 2026 World Cup tournament. Despite this, Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan has drawn attention by introducing a political element. After Egypt’s win against Australia in the Round of 32 at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, United States, on July 3, 2026, he celebrated by displaying a Palestinian flag. This act caught on camera quickly spread across social media platforms, accompanying chants of “Free, free Palestine!” by spectators.
The victory over Australia was determined by penalty kicks, and Hassan dedicated this achievement to the Egyptian and Palestinian people, highlighting their character as “good and noble.” In his post-match interview, Hassan expressed solidarity with Palestine, stating, “My heart and soul are with them. I dedicate this victory to the Palestinians. May Allah grant them victory and have mercy on their martyrs.”
The incident has sparked reactions, especially considering that earlier in the tournament, a Palestinian flag was observed during the USA’s match against Turkey. This prompted questions about the appropriateness of allowing a Palestinian flag at the games, given that Palestine is not involved in the World Cup matches. The debate intensified with reports of double standards, as Israeli flags have faced removal from matches, including an incident where an Israeli flag was confiscated at an Iran match, while Palestinian flags continued to appear.
FIFA has yet to issue a public statement or respond to media inquiries regarding these incidents. The organization’s President Gianni Infantino was seen interacting with representatives from both the Israeli and Palestinian Football Associations during the 76th FIFA Congress held in Vancouver, Canada, on April 30, 2026.
Looking ahead, Egypt’s team will face Argentina and Lionel Messi in their round of 16 match scheduled for Tuesday in Atlanta. This matchup is anticipated as Egypt continues to navigate the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the tournament.
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