Gaza amputee footballers train in ruins as FIFA World Cup begins
While the 2026 FIFA World Cup commences in North America, members of Gaza’s amputee football team face severe shortages of equipment and electricity, describing international rebuilding promises as unfulfilled amidst widespread facility destruction.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially commenced in North America on 11 June, members of the Gaza Al-Irada amputee football team continued training in the damaged remains of the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City. The team, comprising players who have lost limbs due to the ongoing conflict, highlighted the stark contrast between the global sporting celebration and the isolation of Gaza’s athletes, who cite a lack of basic equipment, transportation, and electricity as major barriers to their activities.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) reported that 1,007 members of the sporting community have been killed since October 2023, with 265 sports facilities damaged or destroyed. This includes football fields, gyms, and club buildings, leaving few functional spaces for training. The World Health Organization estimates that between 5,000 and 6,000 Palestinians in Gaza have had limbs amputated since the war began, creating a large cohort of potential athletes who are currently unable to participate in organised sport.
Ali Tafesh, a 24-year-old law graduate and former sprinter, joined the team six months ago after losing his leg in February 2024 when his home in Zeitoun was struck. Tafesh described the logistical challenges of training, noting that he must walk for more than two hours on crutches to reach the field due to a lack of transportation. He added that the team lacks essential safety items, sports shoes, and even crutches, forcing them to play with minimal resources.
Saadi al-Masri, 40, who lost his leg in a car accident at age two, expressed frustration that the war prevented the team from participating in international qualifiers this year. Al-Masri, who previously represented Palestine in swimming, volleyball, and amputee football, criticised the absence of support from international governing bodies. He stated that while FIFA announced a partnership in February to rebuild infrastructure, these remain unfulfilled promises pending safety and security conditions.
FIFA’s announced projects include 50 mini-pitches, five full-size stadiums, a football academy, and a national stadium with a capacity of 20,000 spectators. However, the organisation stated that implementation is conditional on ongoing monitoring of safety and security conditions. Al-Masri and his teammates described the situation as one of erasure, with no electricity or screens available to watch the tournament, forcing them to rely on mobile phones if internet access permits.
Hatem al-Mughrebi, the team’s coach, noted the devastating psychological impact of the siege on athletes who have lost limbs. He recalled the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when a sports delegation from Gaza was able to attend matches, contrasting it with the current reality where the team is completely absent from the global stage. Al-Mughrebi emphasised the need for real support to rebuild stadiums and allow these players to continue their sporting lives.
The PFA reported that the destruction has impacted most of the sports infrastructure that once formed the backbone of sporting life in Gaza, with some facilities turned into shelters for displaced families. Al-Masri urged the world to see the Palestinian people as deserving of life and called for athletes to speak about their suffering. He stressed that the team dreams of raising the Palestinian flag in international competitions, but the war has affected every aspect of life, including sport.
