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Egypt coach Hossam Hassan waves Palestinian flag after World Cup shootout win over Australia

Hossam Hassan carried a Palestinian flag across the pitch after Egypt's 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Australia at the World Cup, dedicating the win to both Egyptian and Palestinian people. FIFA confirmed the gesture broke no rules, as Palestine is a recognised FIFA member association.

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Egypt coach Hossam Hassan waves Palestinian flag after World Cup shootout win over Australia
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Egypt’s national football coach Hossam Hassan made a public show of solidarity with Palestinians on Friday, waving a Palestinian flag on the pitch after his side’s 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Australia in the World Cup round of 32 — a result that ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Video of Hassan walking across the field, flag in hand, spread rapidly on social media as sections of the crowd chanted “Free, free Palestine!” In a post-game interview, Hassan dedicated the win to both Egyptian and Palestinian people, saying: “My heart and soul are with them.”

Yahia Qalash, former head of Egypt’s Journalists’ Union, called the moment “the most significant scene” and “a telling scene in an exceptional moment.”

The gesture comes against the backdrop of the ongoing crisis in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the conflict — which began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 — has resulted in 73,066 Palestinian deaths, with over two million people displaced.

FIFA confirmed that no action would be taken against Hassan. “Flags representing all 211 FIFA Member Associations are permitted at FIFA tournaments, and supporters are welcome to display them in accordance with stadium regulations and the FIFA Stadium Code of Conduct,” the governing body said. The Palestine Football Association holds full FIFA membership.

Hassan’s act echoes similar gestures by other athletes, including Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, who waved a Palestinian flag during La Liga title celebrations earlier this year — a display that drew criticism from Israel’s defence minister.

The incident also highlights FIFA’s inconsistent approach to political expression at its tournaments. At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, European nations were blocked from wearing “One Love” anti-discrimination armbands, and during this edition, Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag was banned despite legal challenges from Iranian Americans in Los Angeles.

The result marked Egypt’s first appearance in the World Cup elimination round at their fourth overall appearance in the tournament.

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