Fans in Gaza celebrated Egypt’s victory at match screenings held against the backdrop of bombed buildings.
Published on July 4, 2026
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dedicated his team’s World Cup victory over Australia to the people of Palestine, who joined the rest of the Arab world in celebrating the historic victory throughout the night.
Egypt kept their cool to beat Australia 4-2 on penalties and secure their first World Cup knockout victory after a 1-1 draw after extra time in a cagey round of 32 match at Dallas Stadium on Friday.
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Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the winning penalty after Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed from 12 yards for the Australians, sending Egypt into a last-16 clash with either Argentina or Cape Verde.
Emam Ashour had given Egypt the lead with a header in the 13th minute before Mohamed Hany’s own goal 10 minutes into the second half leveled the score.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Hassan said: “May God grant you [the Palestinians] victory, may God have mercy on his martyrs.
“I tell you: I dedicate this victory to the Egyptian people and the Palestinian people, those kind and honorable people.”
Hassan carried the Egyptian and Palestinian flags onto the field after the victory, which was the country’s first victory in its first World Cup qualifying match, as the team collectively bowed to the ground in prostration.
Several Palestinian football fans took to social media to express their shared joy with Egypt.
“For the first time, I am following the World Cup with so much emotion,” Gaza resident Tamer Nahed wrote on X.
“I was very happy to see Egypt win a while ago, but the most beautiful sight was here…thousands of people came out of their tents and from among their destroyed homes to watch the match.
“Faces lit up with smiles, cheers filled the air, and it felt like everyone had decided to give themselves a moment of life despite everything around them,” he wrote.
Social media images from the besieged strip showed people gathered at a match screening against the backdrop of bombed-out buildings and makeshift tents, some smiling and holding Egyptian flags that many children had painted on their faces.
Translation: People of Gaza following the game among the rubble.
Translation: Gaza’s joy over the victory of the Egyptian national team.
Hours before Egypt’s victory, team members were involved in an altercation with police officers that went viral on social media.
Egypt’s national team said a Dallas police officer shoved its manager, Ibrahim Hassan, and player Trezeguet when the two tried to take a photo with a fan at the team hotel on Friday.
The Dallas Police Department clarified that the situation was resolved at the scene.
