Gaza residents find brief escape in World Cup opener

No Comment Video. Gaza residents find brief escape in World Cup opener Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 12/06/2026 - 12:16 GMT+2 Palestinian Territories residents gathered in tents, cafes and makeshift community spaces on 11 June to watch the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, seeking a brief escape from the hardships of war. In Al-Zawayda_,_ about three kilometres northeast of Deir al-Balah,in the central Gaza Strip, dozens of people followed the opening match between Mexico and South Africa from a makeshift coffee tent despite frequent power cuts. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT In Khan Younis, displaced families watched the tournament on television screens set up in temporary shelters, remaining gathered long into the evening. For many Palestinians, football remains one of the few widely accessible forms of entertainment and a source of collective escape. Supporters said the World Cup brought back memories of previous tournaments, when families and friends gathered at home to watch matches together before the war disrupted everyday life. In Gaza City, youth football coach Mohammed Salama used the tournament as an educational opportunity, discussing the 48 participating nations with young players before training sessions. Although many fans expressed disappointment that Palestine narrowly failed to qualify, they said the competition still offered a welcome distraction from the challenges surrounding them. Despite the excitement generated by the World Cup, many communities across the Gaza Strip continue to face displacement, shortages of essential supplies and persistent insecurity as the conflict endures. World Cup 2026 The Gaza Strip Football displacement camps FIFA Gaza City Top stories Now playing Next Gaza residents find brief escape in World Cup opener Now playing Next Russian drone barrage hits Kyiv and Mykolaiv as Ukraine reports major fires Now playing Next Belgium: Jordan Bardella strengthens ties with Vlaams Belang in Brussels visit Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | June 12th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Watch fan reactions as Mexico beat South Africa 2–0 in the World Cup opener Now playing Next Mexico: Tight security and protests surround 2026 World Cup opener Now playing Next Albania: thousands rally on 12th day of protests against Trump-linked resort Now playing Next Nearly eight hours apart: Who works the longest weeks in Europe? Now playing Next Bulgaria to end weapons supplies to Ukraine, PM Radev says Now playing Next US launches fresh strikes on Iran after Trump vows to hit 'hard' Now playing Next Rama repeats claims of Iranian cyberterrorism as protests continue Now playing Next 'I love the inflation,' Trump says as prices jump again Now playing Next 'One of the strongest since 1950': What is El Niño and why does it matter? Now playing Next Which countries have the most strikes in the EU? Now playing Next Guess who's become the youngest woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame? Now playing Next Princess Bajrakitiyabha the 'pride of Thailand' dies aged 47 after three-year battle with infection ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Mexico fans celebrate World Cup win over South Africa No Comment World Cup street art returns to Rio de Janeiro No Comment Fans descend on Mexico City Stadium ahead of World Cup kickoff No Comment China tests AI robot cleaners in homes Europe Today Europe Today: World Cup fever, new EU migration era and the Pope's message to Spain Art Inside DATALAND: The world’s first AI art museum will let visitors see, hear and smell art Sport Mexico beats South Africa and Czechia loses to South Korea in World Cup opening matches Sport Mexico's President Sheinbaum joins fans as World Cup gets underway Culture news God bless America: Ralph Lauren unveils stamp collection for 250th US anniversary Iran Iran says no decision made on peace deal with US after Trump touts 'great settlement' Spain Pope Leo XIV casts wreath into sea in memory of migrants lost on Atlantic route Europe News ILA Berlin: Fighter jets still fly but drones dominate the conversation ADVERTISEMENT Europe News German, French and UK envoys meet Lavrov's deputy in Moscow amid E3 peace push Culture news 'Genius of the Renaissance': Leonardo da Vinci exhibition opens in Astana Europe News UK armed forces minister resigns hours after defence secretary over military spending plans Iran US will seize and control Iran's Kharg Island and other key oil facilities, Trump says Economy ECB raises interest rates for the first time in three years as Iran war fuels inflation Health news WHO says Europe must act after 200,000 preventable heat-related deaths Culture news Here comes the sun: Stunning Amaterasu show celebrates 160 years of Belgium-Japan relations No Comment Congo motorcyclists mobilise as Ebola outbreak fuels fear ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT