Fans in Gaza celebrated Egypt’s victory at a screening of the match against the backdrop of bombed buildings.
Published July 4, 2026
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dedicated the World Cup finals victory over Australia to the Palestinian people, celebrating the historic victory with the rest of the Arab world overnight.
In a grueling Round of 32 match played at Dallas Stadium on Friday, Egypt held their own to beat Australia 4-2 on penalties, then drew 1-1 in extra time to claim their first World Cup knockout victory.
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Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the deciding spot-kick after Harry Souter and Lucas Herrington missed from 12 yards out for the Australians, and Egypt advanced to the last 16 to face either Argentina or Cape Verde.
Egypt took the lead in the 13th minute with a header from Imam Ashour, and tied the score 10 minutes into the second half with an own goal from Mohamed Hani.
“May Allah grant them (the Palestinians) victory and may Allah have mercy on their martyrs,” Hassan told reporters after the match.
“I want to say to them: I dedicate this victory to the Egyptian people and the Palestinian people – a kind and honorable people.”
Hassan carried both the Egyptian and Palestinian flags onto the pitch, and the entire team bowed down on the Sujood ground, marking their first victory in the final round of the World Cup.
Several Palestinian football fans shared their joy with Egypt on social media.
“I have never been so excited to watch a World Cup,” Gaza-based Tahem Nahed wrote in 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 destroyed homes to watch the game.
“Faces lit up with smiles, cheers filled the air, and it felt as if everyone had decided to give every moment of their lives, despite everything around them,” he wrote.
Social media footage from the besieged Strip showed people gathered for a screening of the match against a backdrop of bombed-out buildings and makeshift tents, some smiling and holding Egyptian flags, many with children’s faces painted on them.
Hours before Egypt’s victory, members of the team were involved in an altercation with police officers that went viral on social media.
The Egyptian national team announced that a Dallas police officer shoved manager Ibrahim Hassan and Trezeguet as they tried to take pictures with fans at the team hotel on Friday.
The Dallas Police Department said the situation was resolved at the scene.
