Egyptian head coach Hossam Hassan responds to a question during a news conference in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, July 2, 2026, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Australia. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Calling the situation “a shame for the entire world,” Hassan urged FIFA and the international community to advocate for the Palestinians.
By World Israel News Staff
Egyptian national team coach Hossam Hassan used an official FIFA press conference on Monday to defend his pro-Palestinian activism ahead of his side’s Round of 16 World Cup match against Argentina, calling on athletes and journalists worldwide to speak out on behalf of Palestinians.
Asked about a photo showing him waving a Palestinian flag after Egypt’s victory over Australia in the Round of 32, Hassan stood by his actions and said football should be used to deliver what he described as a humanitarian message.
“If a person anywhere in the world does not feel for the Palestinian people, then they have lost part of their humanity,” Hassan told reporters.
“What came out of me was simply a human reaction. Before being Arab, Muslim, Christian or anything else, I am a human being. Through football, the world’s soft power, I want to send a message: please let the Palestinian people live.”
Egypt’s coach held the Palestinian flag with fans chanting “Free Palestine” following the win against Australia in the World Cup round of 32. https://t.co/mJqxFabIg2 pic.twitter.com/WDnwcOpCt4
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) July 3, 2026
He also urged athletes and members of the media to amplify that message.
“When people speak about human rights, animal rights, and justice, we should also speak about Palestinian civilians,” he said.
Hassan went on to compare daily life elsewhere with conditions in Gaza.
“We stay in our homes, live comfortably, have air conditioning, eat, drink and wear the best clothes, while the Palestinian people live under the open sky,” he said.
He continued, “When a dog is abused, people demand that those responsible be punished. But what about those who kill innocent people in Gaza every day with missiles? The Palestinian people have no home, no shelter, no water and no food.”
Calling the situation “a shame for the entire world,” Hassan urged FIFA and the international community to advocate for Palestinians.
“We demand life and justice for them. Just as FIFA raises slogans calling for justice, we should demand their right to live. Please let the Palestinian people live,” he said.
The war in Gaza began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Israel launched its military campaign with the stated objective of dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and securing the release of the remaining hostages.
Hassan’s comments came days after he drew widespread attention by waving a Palestinian flag on the field following Egypt’s victory over Australia. He also dedicated the win to “the Palestinian and Egyptian people,” saying afterward that his “heart and soul are with the Palestinians.”
The celebration sparked widespread debate across social media and the sports world over political demonstrations at the tournament. FIFA later indicated Hassan would not face disciplinary action.
'It’s unbelievable audacity for Bennett to speak on our behalf,' the soldier wrote.
Some 140 Labour members of Parliament, about one-third of the party’s House of Commons delegation.
The UK proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group in July 2025 under Section 1…
Mladenov acknowledged that efforts to implement the agreement have not advanced as expected.
In his first international interview since his release nearly a year ago, Evyatar David reveals…
Ra’am is predicted to win four seats in the Oct. 27 Knesset elections, according to…