Israel-critic Spain’s World Cup victory praised by Iran, Hamas, Houthis and PA’s Abbas
Gazans seen celebrating soccer win, as congratulatory messages from Tehran and its proxies highlight Madrid’s hostility to Israel, support for Palestinian statehood
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Iran on Monday congratulated Spain on its victory in the World Cup, saying that it had brought happiness to people around the world who opposed the United States and Israel, while Gazans were also seen celebrating the win in footage circulating online.
On social media, the winning side appeared to have received support from many around the world thanks to the Spanish government’s condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre, and Madrid’s criticism of the war with Iran.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain, a socialist, has emerged as one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza against Hamas, and is a leading advocate of Palestinian statehood.
Sánchez expressed pride after the Spanish forward Lamine Yamal was photographed in May celebrating a crucial win with a Palestinian flag.
The 19-year-old FC Barcelona star, whose father is Moroccan, waved the flag while riding on an open-top bus during the club’s celebrations after winning the La Liga title on May 11.
On the other hand, Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and many of the country’s soccer fans had rallied for Argentina, whose President Javier Milei has been a vocal supporter of Israel.
“The players’ defense of the Palestinian people and the support of Spain for Iran… showed that freedom and assertiveness are characteristics of that intelligent and respectful nation,” said Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, quoted by the state news agency IRNA.
He added that the victory, “not only made the hearts of the Spanish people happy, but also the hearts of many free and independent and justice-loving nations of the world.”
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said: “The behavior of the Spanish national team and Spain’s stance in general in recent months in opposing aggression, genocide and oppression was valuable.”
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter of congratulations to Spain’s King Felipe VI, according to Turkish news agency Anadolu, calling the victory a “major global sporting achievement,” reportedly sending a similar message to Sánchez.
Hamas also congratulated Spain on its win, with Basem Naim, an official of the Gaza-based terror group, saying, “We congratulate Spain on its deserved World Cup win, and we congratulate Palestine and its supporters on their joy,” in a statement circulated by Palestinian media.
???????????????? Palestinians in Gaza celebrate Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph against Argentina
⚽ Residents cheer Spain's winning goal, finding a brief escape from hardships of daily life amid Israel's war on Gaza pic.twitter.com/XkNzOZcOq1
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) July 19, 2026
Palestinians in Gaza took to the streets on Sunday night to celebrate the victory, Anadolu reported, with videos online showing crowds watching the game on projector screens erected throughout the enclave and cheering on the Spanish national team.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis joined the wave of congratulatory remarks, with senior official Nasr al-Din Amer saying, “Even in sports, whoever the Israeli enemy supports loses, and whoever stands against it wins. Congratulations to Spain, which holds an honorable stance supporting Gaza and opposing the Israeli enemy, on the World Cup,” according to the Israel Hayom daily.
The Times of Israel Community.