Goals for Gaza Anthem, recorded and produced in Gaza, July 2026
Gaza World Cup 2026 – Solidarity with #GoalsforGaza
As people around the world cheer on their favorite teams and players in the 2026 World Cup, Palestinians in Gaza continue to live through a genocide, suffering daily attacks by Israeli forces and unable to access humanitarian aid, life-saving medical care and the outside world. Despite an announced ceasefire and the creation of a Board of Peace, Gaza remains the world’s largest open air prison and graveyard.
In June and July, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) team in Gaza is working with local municipalities and Gaza soccer players to host a series of matches as the World Cup Simulation Project – Gaza 2026, to show the world that Palestinians yearn to live, thrive and play in freedom. Three matches will be held – Gaza Legends, Gaza Amputees, and the final match on July 16, will feature two teams of professional Gaza club soccer players representing Team Palestine and Team Spain as a gesture of gratitude to the people and government of Spain for its efforts to stop the genocide in Gaza.
On July 16 at 5 pm Gaza / 10 am EST, watch the Livestream of the Final Match of the World Cup Simulation.
Interview with Firas Ramlawi, AFSC's Gaza Office Manager, about the Goals for Gaza campaign. Ashraf Shannon reports from Gaza City
Players from Gaza Premier League Football Clubs, Ittihad Shuja'iyya and Khadamat Rafah, participating in the World Cup Simulation Final Match in Gaza on July 16, 2026.
Here's how you can participate:
American Friends Service Committee continues to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank in the face of genocide, ethnic cleansing and apartheid.
Donate to support Gaza emergency response
And read more about AFSC's Crisis Response
Take to social media with us to highlight our #GoalsForGaza.
Sample tweet:
For Palestinian children and adults alike, soccer is a joyous activity. But 1,000 days of Israel's genocide has displaced, disabled, and orphaned many players. Stop U.S. military aid to Israel now! #GoalsForGaza
Check out AFSC on Facebook, X, and Instagram! To help those in the sports world understand the barriers to play that Palestinian children in Gaza must face, we’re asking that you tag your favorite soccer players and teams in the comment sections of all of our posts for the #GoalsForGaza event. Please also tag these players in any other content you post or repost on social media!
You can also boost the coverage our games receive!
Do you know a group that would love to play a game or host an event for Gaza? Check out our detailed tips for hosting your own game! Email Palestineactivism@afsc.org for more information. See photos from past #GoalsForGaza matches in our #GoalsForGaza Instagram highlight!
Gallery
Palestinian amputee football players in The Match of Will & Resistance, Gaza, June 21, 2026
Palestinian amputee football teams playing in The Match of Will & Resistance, Gaza, June 21, 2026
Palestine Football Veterans and Legends Exhibition Match Teams, Gaza, June 28, 2026
Veteran Palestinian Football Match, Gaza, June 28, 2026
Honoring Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele" and national team player, at the Palestinian Veterans & Legends Football Match; Al-Obeid was killed by Israeli forces while waiting to get humanitarian aid on August 6, 2025.
Palestinian kids playing football in a Goals for Gaza match, Gaza, June 21, 2026.
Palestinian kids playing football in a Goals for Gaza match, Gaza, June 21, 2026.
AFSC Gaza Coordinator Firas Ramlawi with Mohammad Shaaban, a young boy who lost both of his legs as a result of the war. Despite his injury, Mohammad’s dream was simple: to play football. That dream became a reality at AFSC's youth football match, Gaza, June 21, 2026.
Press Conference to Launch Gaza World Cup Simulation 2026, Gaza, 11 June 2026.
