The ongoing war in Gaza is driving a major shift in international sports fandom ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final. As Spain prepares to face defending champion Argentina at MetLife Stadium, New York City’s Arab American community is throwing its full weight behind the Spanish national team.
The surge in support is not about tactical superiority on the pitch. Residents in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, widely known as Little Palestine, are backing La Roja as a direct result of Spain’s 2024 formal recognition of the State of Palestine and its vocal opposition to the military conflict. A coalition of fans across the borough has shifted its tournament allegiance to make a visible political statement.
Local business owners and community leaders are actively mobilizing around the match. At establishments like Al Reef Bakery, patrons are displaying Palestinian emblems alongside Spanish colors. Community figures including Zein Rimawi and Talal Abdraboh cite both recent political actions and centuries-old cultural ties to the Arab presence in Andalusia as the foundation for this sudden alliance.
The cultural crossover arrives just hours before the tournament reaches its conclusion across the Hudson River. Anticipation is building rapidly for the highly anticipated championship clash between the European heavyweights and Lionel Messi’s South American squad.
Tens of thousands of traveling supporters are currently descending on the New Jersey venue. The high-stakes tactical showdown kicks off Sunday evening, with both squads finalizing their starting lineups as Bay Ridge prepares for a street celebration if Spain secures the trophy.