Middle East in English📡 The GuardianBy Joanna RuckJul 8, 2026👁 7 views
Gaza’s World Cup screenings – in pictures
Gaza’s World Cup screenings – in pictures
Mohamed al-Wahidi died when a missile struck his taxi shortly before Egypt played Argentina in their last 16 World Cup match. He had organised the screening of World Cup games across the Gaza Strip, which had become a welcome diversion from the continuing misery of a very partly observed ceasefire and near-daily Israeli strikes
Palestinian football fans gather among war-damaged buildings in Gaza City to watch the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt. Photograph: Mohammed Skaik/TheNews2/Cover ImagesJoanna RuckWed 8 Jul 2026 16.00 EDTLast modified on Wed 8 Jul 2026 20.00 EDTShareView image in fullscreenPalestinians watch the World Cup match between Egypt and Iran among the widespread destruction caused by Israel’s continuing war in GazaPhotograph: Mohammed M Skaik/Jna Press/Nexpher/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockShareView image in fullscreenFootball fans supporting Egypt gather for the Argentina-Egypt game shown on a giant outdoor screen in Gaza CityPhotograph: Mohammed M Skaik/Jna Press/Nexpher/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockShareView image in fullscreenThe gathering reflects a passion for football among Gaza’s inhabitants, and their efforts to maintain moments of joy and normalcy despite the war Photograph: Mohammed M Skaik/Jna Press/Nexpher/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockShareView image in fullscreenDisplaced Palestinians watch the Argentina v Egypt match in Khan YounisPhotograph: Haitham Imad/EPAShareView image in fullscreenAn aerial view of the crowd gathered to watch Argentina take on EgyptPhotograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesShareView image in fullscreenFootball fans gather for the World Cup group-stage match between Egypt and Iran on 27 JunePhotograph: Mohammed M Skaik/Jna Press/Nexpher/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockShareView image in fullscreenA huge crowd gather, some standing on the rubble of a ruined building, to watch Argentina play Egypt Photograph: Mohammed Skaik/TheNews2/Cover ImagesShareView image in fullscreenChildren watch from a rooftop, trying to catch a glimpse of the Argentina and Egypt gamePhotograph: Mohammed Skaik/TheNews2/Cover ImagesShareView image in fullscreenA young fan watches the game between Argentina and EgyptPhotograph: Mohammed M Skaik/Jna Press/Nexpher/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockShareView image in fullscreenPalestinians watch a live broadcast of the World Cup from a bombed buildingPhotograph: Belal Osama/APAImages/apaimages/ShutterstockShareView image in fullscreenPeople gather to watch the Argentina and Egypt game on a giant outdoor screenPhotograph: Mohammed M Skaik/Jna Press/Nexpher/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockShareView image in fullscreenPalestinians watch the World Cup match between Egypt and Iran Photograph: Mohammed M Skaik/Jna Press/Nexpher/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockShareView image in fullscreenMohamed al-Wahidi, director of public relations for the Egyptian Committee in Gaza and the man who organised to show the World Cup games on the big screen in Gaza. According to his family, he had been in a taxi on the way to a screening of the match in Tel al-Hawa in southern Gaza City when a missile hit the carPhotograph: Egyptian Committee in GazaShareExplore more on these topics
