FIFA World Cup 2026 - Egypt coach Hossam Hassan reiterates need for attention on Palestine

FIFA World Cup 2026 — Egypt coach Hossam Hassan reiterates need for attention on Palestine left Egypt coach Hossam Hassan (left), already emotional after their loss to Argentina, turned the press conference away from refereeing and tactics and back toward Palestine, a cause he has repeatedly brought into the tournament’s conversation. Getty Images via AFP/Reuters Getty Images via AFP/Reuters https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/41sv1t/article71195559.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/AYON%20PHOTO%20BYLINE.jpg Egypt exited the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a valiant fight as it lost 2-3 to defending champion Argentina in their round of 16 clash in Atlanta on July 7. Atlanta Egypt’s Hossam Hassan has used his team’s World Cup campaign to speak as much about Palestine as football, and after the defeat to Argentina he did so again. The Egypt coach, already emotional after a match he believed had been shaped by injustice, turned the press conference away from refereeing and tactics and back toward Gaza, a cause he has repeatedly brought into the tournament’s conversation. ALSO READ: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan accuses FIFA of favouritism after loss to Argentina in round of 16 Egypt coach Hossam Hassan accuses FIFA of favouritism after loss to Argentina in round of 16 storyline 1 “If there is anyone in the world who does not feel the pain of the Palestinian people, they are not human,” Hassan said. It was not the first time he had made Palestine visible at this World Cup. Hassan, Egypt’s top scorer with 60 goals, draped a Palestinian flag when celebrating his team’s round-of-32 win over Australia in Dallas. center Hossam Hassan with the Palestinian flag after Egypt’s victory over Australia. Getty Images via AFP Getty Images via AFP https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/iaks4a/article71195555.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2284539390.jpg MOLLY DARLINGTON ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 03: Hossam Hassan, Head Coach of Egypt, holds the flag of Palestine after the team's victory through the penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at Dallas Stadium on July 03, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. Molly Darlington/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Molly Darlington / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) His words come against the backdrop of a war that has devastated Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, many displaced and living amid ruins, continue to face profound uncertainty. Palestinian health authorities say Israel’s military campaign has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians since the war began. Those figures, though, are disputed by Israel. RELATED: In Palestine, rocks become goalposts and football, freedom https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/palestine-football-freedom-mohammed-rashid-east-bengal-childhood-father-israel-conflict/article70989674.ece Hassan said children in Gaza grow up wearing Messi, Argentina, Real Madrid and Barcelona shirts even as they live through war. “A lot of those listening to me did not necessarily feel the same, feel empathy for people dying. For children being killed. Children dying in a country where they wear Messi, Argentina jersey, jerseys of Real Madrid and Barcelona. I urge you to let the Palestine people live.”