Egypt coach Hossam Hassan used a FIFA World Cup news conference on July 7, 2026, to express his support for the Palestinian people amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Days after dedicating Egypt’s historic knockout win to Palestinians and waving their flag during the tournament, Hassan broke from discussing his team’s upcoming match against Argentina to deliver an impassioned statement.
“If there is anyone in the world who does not feel for the Palestinian people, then they are not human — whether they are Arab, European, or American,” Hassan said.
When asked about waving the Palestinian flag after Egypt’s penalty-shootout victory over Australia, he described it as “simply a human reaction.” He further drew a comparison to global reactions over animal rights, stating, “Everywhere in the world, including in Europe or America, if someone hurts an animal, we see animal rights being defended and the whole world reacts. It has become normal to hear that two or three thousand people die in a single day because of a missile.”
Hassan’s remarks underscore the intersection of sports and humanitarian concerns during the FIFA World Cup, as the global event continues to spotlight issues beyond the pitch.
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