In Al-Zawayda, in the central Gaza Strip, dozens of people watched the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in a tent converted into a café, despite frequent power outages. In Khan Younis, displaced families followed the game on screens set up in temporary shelters, staying together until late in the evening. For many Palestinians, football remains one of the few remaining accessible forms of entertainment and a way to share a collective moment away from the worries of daily life. Several fans explained that the tournament reminded them of previous World Cups, when they watched matches at home with family or friends before the conflict disrupted their lives. In Gaza City, youth football coach Mohammed Salama used the event as a teaching tool, introducing children to the 48 participating nations before training sessions. While many regret that Palestine narrowly missed qualifying, they believe the competition provides a welcome respite in a particularly difficult context. Despite the enthusiasm generated by the tournament, a large part of Gaza's population continues to face forced displacement, shortages and a still precarious security situation.
