Hamas and Houthis Praise Spain's World Cup Win with Anti-Israel Messages

Following Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, senior figures from Hamas and the Houthi movement publicly congratulated the Spanish team while linking the win to political messages against Israel. In Gaza, large crowds watched the final on big screens, celebrating with Spanish flags after the winning goal and the final whistle. Hamas official Basem Naim expressed support for Spain's victory, stating it would "only anger the Zionists and their allies." Similarly, Houthi spokesperson Nasr al-Din Amer praised Spain for its "respectable stance in support of Gaza and against the Israeli enemy," framing the sports result as symbolic of political alignment.

These statements reflect ongoing efforts by these groups to interpret international events through the lens of their conflict with Israel. In recent months, Spain has seen public expressions of support for Gaza and criticism of Israel from some public figures and fans. Meanwhile, celebrations also took place in Egypt, where Spain's win was welcomed partly due to Argentina having eliminated the Egyptian team in the tournament's round of 16. Egyptian fans took to the streets, with some describing Spain's victory as "avenging" Egypt's exit.

The World Cup final thus became a focal point for political expression in parts of the Middle East, with Hamas and the Houthis using Spain's triumph to reinforce their anti-Israel narratives amid ongoing regional tensions.