In a powerful display of resilience, a group of amputee football players in Gaza City recreated the World Cup final on a pitch that bears the scars of war. The symbolic match, held in a stadium damaged by Israeli airstrikes, saw players wearing the shirts of Spain and Argentina, the two teams that contested the 2026 final in New York.
The event, organised by local sports charities and the Palestinian Football Association, aimed to draw attention to the human cost of the conflict and the enduring spirit of Gazans. Players, many of whom lost limbs in the war, competed with prosthetic limbs or crutches, their determination undimmed by the rubble surrounding them.
A match beyond sport
The choice of teams was deliberate: Spain, the European champions, and Argentina, the reigning world champions. For the participants, the match was more than a game. “We wanted to show that life goes on, that we can still dream,” said Ahmed al-Masri, a 28-year-old former midfielder who lost his leg in a bombing in 2024. “Football is our escape, our way to feel normal again.”
The stadium, once a venue for local league matches and youth tournaments, now stands as a testament to the destruction wrought by the war. Its stands are pockmarked with shrapnel holes, the pitch is uneven, and the floodlights are shattered. Yet for a few hours, it was filled with cheers and the sound of a ball being kicked.
The match also served as a reminder of the broader European connection to the conflict. European nations, including Spain, have been vocal in calling for a ceasefire, and the European Union has provided humanitarian aid to Gaza. The reenactment comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas recently urging both sides to return to negotiations.
For the players, the event was also a chance to highlight the plight of amputees in Gaza, where medical resources are scarce and rehabilitation services are overwhelmed. “We need more support, not just for football but for our lives,” said Mohammed al-Hindi, a 32-year-old who lost both legs in a drone strike. “We want to walk, to play, to work. We want dignity.”
The match drew comparisons to other moments where sport has been used as a tool for healing in conflict zones. In Europe, similar initiatives have taken place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where football programmes have helped war veterans reintegrate into society. The Gaza reenactment, however, stands out for its stark setting and the sheer determination of its participants.
As the final whistle blew, the players embraced, their jerseys soaked with sweat and dust. There was no trophy, no medal ceremony, but for those on the pitch, the victory was in the act of playing itself. “We are not just victims,” al-Masri said. “We are footballers, we are humans, and we will keep playing.”
