From the heart of the rubble.. Gaza supports the Egyptian national team in the opening of its World Cup journey

Palestinian youth in the Gaza Strip defied the harsh war conditions and the continuous deprivation for years, to express their strong support for the Egyptian national team at the start of its journey in the 2026 World Cup against its Belgian counterpart. Dozens gathered in one of the tents that the locals had set up to be a simple cafe, where they sat on modest chairs in front of a single television screen to follow the anticipated football match amidst an atmosphere of enthusiasm.

Egyptian flags were raised above the tent's roof and throughout its corners, while a group of young people wrapped themselves in the Egyptian flag, expressing the unity of blood and destiny with their brethren. Sources reported that the scene reflected a strong will to live, as cameras captured war wounded sitting in wheelchairs following the match with great interest, cheering for the 'Pharaohs' warmly despite the physical and psychological pain left by the ongoing war.

These scenes come at a time when the Palestinian sports sector is suffering from complete paralysis, due to the war that erupted in October 2023 and led to more than 120,000 injured and the destruction of all stadiums and sports facilities. Palestinian sports also lost dozens of cadres and players who were martyred during the bombing, as part of a systematic destruction policy that affected all aspects of life and entertainment in the besieged Strip.

Throughout history, Palestinians in Gaza have consistently shown their absolute support for Arab national teams in international forums, which was clearly evident in previous World Cup editions. Arab participation in the World Cup is a long-standing legacy that Egypt began in 1934, leading to the historic achievement of the Moroccan national team in Qatar 2022 when it ranked fourth globally, which raised the ceiling of public aspirations.

The current edition of the 2026 tournament is witnessing a remarkable expansion with the increase in the number of teams to 48, which has given Arab football greater opportunities for representation and competition across the continents of Asia and Africa. The public in the Palestinian territories and the Arab region is keen to follow these matches closely, as live broadcast times and kickoff are coordinated according to Doha time, with hopes of achieving honorable results.

Despite all the hardships and sorrows they suffer, this did not prevent Gazans from expressing their support for the Egyptian national team, affirming the strong ties that bind them to the Arab peoples.