Watching the World Cup from Gaza

In the ruins of the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, amputee football players like Ali Tafesh and Saadi al-Masri train under harsh conditions. The team, Gaza Al-Irada, plays in one of the few remaining usable sports spaces after Israel’s war has devastated Gaza, killing nearly 73,000 Palestinians and destroying infrastructure. Ali, 24, lost his leg and his mother and brother in a February 2024 airstrike on his home in Zeitoun. He joined the team six months ago after losing hope following his amputation, which ended his sprinting career. The team lacks basic equipment, forcing players to walk long distances on crutches or barefoot. Saadi al-Masri, 40, lost his leg in a childhood accident but has represented Palestine in swimming, volleyball, and amputee football. He was set to compete in international qualifiers this year but was blocked by war restrictions. Both players express pain over being excluded from global sports while the world watches the World Cup in North America. Gaza Al-Irada’s players rely on minimal resources, playing with whatever is available. Saadi says the war has erased dreams of representing Palestine internationally, leaving them forgotten amid global attention on the tournament. The team’s existence highlights Gaza’s isolation, where basic needs and sports infrastructure are nonexistent. Players like Ali and Saadi endure bombardment risks and travel hours to train, reflecting the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.