Egypt coach Hossam Hassan: Anyone who does not feel for the Palestinian people ‘does not deserve to be human’

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan reaffirmed his support for the Palestinian people, calling for their right to live, after facing criticism from Israeli commentators for dedicating Egypt’s qualification for the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup to the Palestinians.

Speaking at a press conference on the eve of Egypt’s last-16 match against Argentina on Tuesday, Hassan was asked about dedicating Egypt’s victory over Australia to the Palestinian people and raising the Palestinian flag after the match.

Responding to a question from a Turkish journalist about whether he would renew his support for the Palestinians, Hassan said: “We welcome the Turkish people,” before adding: “Everyone has feelings, and if anyone in the world does not feel for the Palestinian people, they do not deserve to be human.”

He added: “If an animal is harmed in Europe or America, we see human and animal rights organisations take action. But when thousands of people, including children and women, are killed every day in Gaza, that does not happen, while an entire people are forced to live in tents through summer and winter.”

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Hassan continued: “While we need air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, the Palestinian people are living in the open. Their children have no food and suffer from disease and lack of sleep.”

He said his position was based solely on humanitarian grounds, adding: “If someone does not feel what the Palestinian people are going through, regardless of their religion, then they are not human.” He urged people to spend just one day living on the streets to understand the Palestinians’ suffering.

He added: “When floods happen, everyone looks for shelter. But in Gaza and Palestine, people have nowhere to hide.” He also said: “Shame on the world and decision-makers for abandoning the Palestinian people,” criticising what he described as the international community’s failure to respond to the large number of casualties.

Hassan stressed that his support for the Palestinian people was based on humanitarian concerns rather than religion or identity. His remarks were met with loud applause as he struggled to hold back tears.

He concluded by appealing to athletes of all religions and nationalities to use the World Cup to send one message: “Please let the Palestinian people live. That is all they want.”

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