Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan interrupted discussion of the upcoming World Cup match against Argentina to deliver an impassioned monologue about the plight of the Palestinian people.
Hassan, who waved a Palestinian flag after Egypt’s victory over Australia in the final round, spoke on the subject for more than four minutes on Monday and was cheered by much of the assembled media.
“If there is anyone in the world who does not feel sorry for the Palestinian people, then they are not human beings – whether they are Arab, European or American,” Hassan said at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Egypt’s match against defending champion Argentina.
More than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, largely displaced and living among ruins, face uncertainty after a war that began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel’s retaliation has killed a total of 73,066 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
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“All over the world, including in Europe and America, we see that when someone hurts an animal, animal rights are defended and the whole world reacts,” Hassan said. “It has become normal to hear that two or three thousand people are killed by a rocket in one day.”
The war has sparked pro-Palestinian protests around the world, with athletes – including Spain’s Lamine Yamal – showing their support.
FIFA said it is allowed to display the Palestinian flag at the World Cup.
«Regardless of religion. … I am a human being before I am an Arab or anything. My message, through football, is this: please, just as FIFA’s slogan calls for respect among us, I hope there will be respect for people’s right to live,» Hassan said.
With a win over Argentina, Egypt would reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
«My dreams know no bounds. My ambitions know no bounds. I promise we will do everything we can to meet (the fans’) expectations,» Hassan said. «We are not underdogs. We are great in every way. We are a civilization that is 7,000 years old, even more than 7,000 years old.»
Published on July 7, 2026
