GAZA CITY — When the ball hit the back of the net, the roar from the café was deafening. Young men in Barcelona jerseys pounded the tables. A waiter balancing a tray of tea froze, then joined the cheers. Spain had just scored against Saudi Arabia in a World Cup group-stage match, and in Gaza, the choice was clear: they were rooting for Spain.
This wasn't about tactics or star players. It wasn't about a historic rivalry. It was about war, solidarity, and the bitter taste of betrayal. For Palestinians in Gaza, supporting Saudi Arabia felt like a contradiction — a country that once stood with them, but had, in recent years, drifted toward normalization with Israel.
The Shift in Allegiance
In previous World Cups, Saudi Arabia often enjoyed sympathy from Arab fans. But 2026 is different. Since the Abraham Accords and Saudi Arabia's quiet thaw with Israel, the goodwill has evaporated. For Gazans, who have lived through multiple wars and an ongoing siege, football has become a proxy for political expression.
“I used to cheer for Saudi Arabia,” said Ahmed, 24, a barber in Gaza City. “Not anymore. They sold us out for oil and normalization. Spain has no such baggage.”
Sunday's match was more than a game. It was a referendum on loyalty. Spain, a country with no direct ties to the conflict, became a blank canvas for Palestinian frustration. Every goal was a small act of defiance, a reminder that football fans remember — and resent — political shifts.
“When Spain scored, it felt like justice,” said another fan, Mohammed, sipping sweet tea. “We know the Saudi regime doesn't care about us. Why should we care about their team?”
Football as a Political Barometer
This isn't new. Football has long been a mirror of geopolitics in the Middle East. In 2018, Egyptian fans were torn over Mohamed Salah's Liverpool success amid political tensions. In 2022, Qatar's World Cup sparked debates about human rights and Arab unity. Now, the Saudi-Palestinian rift is playing out on the pitch.
Gaza's support for Spain wasn't organized. It was organic, bubbling up from anger and alienation. Social media posts showed Palestinian flags next to Spanish ones. Young men wore La Liga jerseys not because they loved Spanish football, but because it was the anti-Saudi choice.
“It's about sending a message,” said Rami, a student at Islamic University. “We're not puppets. We decide who to support based on who respects us.”
The Silence of Normalization
Saudi Arabia's normalization with Israel has been incremental but unmistakable. While the kingdom publicly maintains support for a two-state solution, behind-the-scenes meetings, security cooperation, and economic ties have grown. For Palestinians, this feels like a dagger to the back.
“The Saudis used to fund our hospitals and schools,” said a teacher who asked not to be named. “Now they fund deals that ignore our existence. Football is just one arena where we can show our displeasure without getting arrested.”
Spain offered a safe outlet. Unlike other European nations with complicated histories in the region, Spain has no colonial baggage in Palestine. Its government has been critical of Israeli settlements, and its football clubs have diverse fan bases. For Gazans, supporting Spain is a neutral act that carries no guilt.
The Human Cost of the Game
But let's not romanticize this too much. Watching a World Cup match in Gaza is a privilege few can afford. The café Ahmed works at charges $5 for entry — a day's wages for many. The electricity flickers, the internet lags, and the siege means even watching a game feels like a luxury.
“We live in a cage,” Ahmed said, gesturing at the café's faded walls. “Football is our escape. Who we support matters because it's one of the few choices we have left.”
That choice, for now, is Spain. Whether it lasts beyond the World Cup is irrelevant. In this moment, Gazan fans found a way to say: we see what you're doing, Saudi Arabia. And we haven't forgotten.
The final whistle blew. Spain won 2-1. The café erupted again. For a few seconds, war, poverty, and politics melted away. Then the electricity cut out, and the screen went dark. But the message had been sent.
