Key Points
- Hossam Hassan dedicated yesterday's victory over Australia to Egyptians and Palestinians.
- The Palestinian Football Association says 1,000 Palestinian athletes have been killed since 2023.
Moments after his team clinched an historic victory against the Socceroos, Egypt's head coach, Hossam Hassan, waved the Palestinian flag high during post-match celebrations.
As his team celebrated on the pitch, Hassan emerged with both an Egyptian and a Palestinian flag. He draped himself in Palestine's colours, and held it up to cheering crowds in Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"I'm dedicating this victory to the Egyptian people and Palestinian people, those kind and honourable people," he said in a post-match interview.
"My heart and soul are with them."
Hassan, 59, a former striker for Egypt's national team, was emotional after leading his team through a historic moment — the first time the Pharaohs have gone through to the Round of 16.
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As thousands in war-ravaged Gaza cheered on Egypt from an outdoor screen in Nuseirat, Hassan thanked the Palestinians for their support.
"They are so happy for us, and for me," he said.
"After the Egyptian people, I dedicate this victory to the Palestinians and to the entire Arab world."
Arab solidarity
A spokesperson for FIFA said flags representing member associations are permitted at FIFA tournaments.
Palestine has been a member of FIFA since 1998. They failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, losing 5-0 to the Socceroos in a qualifier in 2024.
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Moroccan players waved the Palestinian flag while celebrating a win over Spain that saw them through to the semi-finals.
That win was also historic — it was the first time an Arab or African team reached the semis.
At the time, Anas Iqtait, lecturer in Middle Eastern politics at the Australian National University, told SBS News the Palestinian flag was a symbol of Arab nationalism.
"The Palestinian flag has long represented Arab nationalism, which was a project that obviously saw its height in the middle of the 20th century," he said.
The flag's design, with green, white, and black stripes, with a red triangle, was first used during the Arab Revolt in 1916-1918 against the Ottoman Empire.
As well as becoming a symbol of Palestinian statehood, the pan-Arab colours can be found on the flags of Syria, Jordan and Iraq, among others.
Gaza watches on
In central Gaza, thousands of Palestinians gathered among the ruins of buildings to watch the Egypt match against the Socceroos.
They erupted with joy after Egypt secured the nail-biting win in a penalty shoot-out, with many waving the Egyptian flag.
There were similar scenes on 27 June when Egypt went head to head against Iran, with Palestinians in droves cheering on Egypt.
But for many, watching the World Cup has not been easy: a lack of internet connectivity and electricity has made it difficult, if not impossible.
Fadi Al-Arawi, a footballer in the Gaza Strip Premier League, hasn't been able to take the pitch since professional sports were suspended with the outbreak of war more than two years ago. He's been trying to watch games over a flickering laptop in the darkness, as Israeli drones buzz overhead.
"All the world's players are watching the matches except for the players from Gaza," he told Reuters.
"Our lives are all suffering."
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) says 1,000 athletes were among the 73,000 Palestinians killed by Israel in the war since 2023, from children and amateurs in all sports to referees and professionals.
Last week, the PFA announced the death of Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar, saying he was shot by Israeli forces near Khan Younis. Israel has yet to comment on the incident.
Around 285 sports facilities have been destroyed — some completely bulldozed, others bombed.
Gaza's flagship Al-Yarmouk Stadium, where Al-Arawi and other professionals once played in front of thousands of spectators, is now a tent city for displaced families.
A 'significant' win
In a post on social media following the win, Hassan shared a photo of himself holding the flag captioned with three emojis: the Egyptian flag, a heart, and a Palestinian flag.
Speaking to the Associated Press, the former head of Egypt's Journalists' Union, Yahia Qalash, described Hassan's decision to wave the Palestinian flag as "significant".
"It was the most significant scene ... a telling scene in an exceptional moment."
For many in Egypt, the importance of the win could not be underestimated.
Egypt's star player and household name, Mo Salah, told reporters it was the "best day of his life".
"My feeling today is incredible," said English Premier League team Liverpool's top goal-scorer.
"Today was one of the best days in my life. Made history with the team and try to give my best and play while I'm hurt because this is what I do for my country."
— With additional reporting by the Associated Press and Reuters.
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