Spain’s Lamine Yamal waves a Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations in May 2026. [Getty]
Spain’s World Cup victory over Argentina was celebrated by Palestinians and pro-Palestine supporters after a Sunday final that had become a symbolic contest over the war in Gaza.
Spain defeated the defending champions 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal in the 106th minute to secure the country’s second World Cup title.
In the build-up to the final, social media users increasingly declared their support for one of the teams according to each country’s position towards Israel and Palestine, turning football’s showpiece event into a broader political debate.
Spain won widespread support among Palestinians over Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s criticism of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and Madrid’s recognition of the State of Palestine in May 2024.
Argentina, meanwhile, has strengthened relations with Israel under President Javier Milei, who has emerged as one of the Israeli government’s closest international allies since taking office in December 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly endorsed Argentina before the final after receiving an official national team shirt from Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish.
In a video released on Saturday, Wahnish also played Netanyahu an audio message from Milei thanking the Israeli leader for his support.
“I don’t hide it that I’m a fan of Argentina. I think most Israeli citizens do,” Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes in Gaza, said. “That is because President Milei has revolutionised Israel’s relationship with Argentina, and we have no greater nor better friends. Which is why we support them.”
Earlier in the month, Netanyahu had described Milei as “a great friend of Israel” while discussing Argentina’s World Cup campaign.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also celebrated Argentina’s semi-final victory over England, writing in Spanish on X: “Honour to whom honour is due. Now, with faith, towards the final.”
He later shared a video strongly backing Argentina to defeat Spain.
Meanwhile, Spain winger Lamine Yamal attracted widespread praise after waving a Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations in May.
The gesture was celebrated by Palestinians in Gaza, activists and football supporters, with many describing it as a powerful demonstration of solidarity amid Israel’s genocidal war on the besieged enclave.
Spanish actor Javier Bardem, a longtime advocate for Palestinian rights, was also seen carrying a Palestinian flag during the tournament.
In Gaza, supporters publicly rallied behind Spain before the final, citing the Spanish government’s position and expressions of solidarity by figures including Yamal.
Despite electricity shortages, fuel scarcity, and the destruction of much of Gaza’s sporting infrastructure, football clubs organised World Cup-themed exhibition matches and events in support of Spain.
“I’m completely behind Spain because they stood up for Palestine,” Gaza resident Ahmed al-Bozm said to the press before the match. “We support you wholeheartedly, and we hope you lift the World Cup trophy and raise the Palestinian flag as well,” he said in a message to Yamal.
By contrast, Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s past visits to Israel resurfaced online during the debate.
It is not just a football match…
but a clash between human values and the calculations of complicity!It is, indeed, far greater than a mere football match in the World Cup final. It is a confrontation between Spain,which has supported the rights of the Palestinian people and… https://t.co/PfYx0vw6Wz pic.twitter.com/1igfeJRite
— khaled mahmoued (@khaledmahmoued1) July 19, 2026
Messi previously travelled to Jerusalem with Barcelona, met Israeli leaders, and took part in a friendly match in Tel Aviv. Social media users also highlighted his former commercial partnerships with Israeli companies.
However, many Argentine supporters rejected attempts to portray their national team as inherently “pro-Israel”.
They pointed to the late Diego Maradona’s longstanding support for Palestine and argued that Milei’s policies did not represent the views of Argentina’s entire population.
Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who has repeatedly voiced support for Palestine, also indicated on Instagram that he was backing Spain.
