World Cup 2026: The true winner was Palestine

The article argues that the “true winner” of the World Cup 2026 was Palestine, framing the tournament’s conclusion alongside ongoing conflict in the region. It states that Israel continued “murder and land theft” across occupied Palestine and Lebanon, and that it brought President Donald Trump into its war related to Iran. Against that backdrop, the piece claims the World Cup was still marked by political controversy, including attempts to “poison” Argentina’s reputation. It recounts personal experience in Lebanon in 2006, noting that after leaving Beirut on 2 July, the World Cup ended on 9 July and by 12 July bombings in Lebanon began. The author also discusses football as a “level playing field,” references Eduardo Galeano’s ideas, and contrasts public fan behavior, mentioning Lionel Messi and Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah in the context of allegations of propaganda and bias.