New York, United States – Zein Rimawi admits he is not a dedicated football enthusiast, yet when asked to predict the FIFA World Cup final winner, his answer was immediate: “Spain.”
“You don’t need to finish the question,” the 72-year-old told Al Jazeera.
Speaking from his office in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of New York, with a Palestinian flag displayed behind him, Rimawi expressed that sports and politics are often inseparable.
“I support countries that support our causes, especially the Palestinian cause,” said Rimawi, who serves as the chair of the nonprofit Arab American Federation.
His preference for Spain, who faces Argentina in the championship match this Sunday, reflects a sentiment shared by much of the local Arab American community.
In this area, Palestinian symbols—ranging from keffiyeh patterns and tatreez embroidery to watermelon imagery and graffiti—are a constant presence.
While the neighborhood is colloquially known as “Little Palestine,” it serves as a diverse hub for various Arab-American and immigrant communities from around the globe.
With the tournament final scheduled for nearby New Jersey, excitement is palpable throughout Bay Ridge.
Local Palestinian restaurants, Yemeni cafes, and Lebanese grocery stores have all decorated their storefronts with the flags of participating nations.
While the tournament is intended as a celebration of football, Rimawi described the atmosphere as a “political summit.”
He argued that Spain is a natural choice for Arab fans, noting that the nation recognized the State of Palestine in 2024 and has been a consistent critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“I didn’t know who Hossam Hassan was,” he remarked, referring to Egypt’s head coach.
“But when he raised the Palestinian flag, I instantly became a fan.”
‘We’re for Spain with all our hearts’
A similar sentiment was shared by Talal Abdraboh at Al Reef Bakery on 5th Avenue.
He noted that Spain’s historical presence in Andalusia and its contemporary support for Palestinians make the team a favorite within the community.
“It’s not about bias against Argentina. If any team that’s not Arab were facing Spain, we would support Spain,” he explained.
“We’re for Spain with all our hearts.”
The bakery features a large mural of the Dome of the Rock and another depicting a Palestinian woman baking, adorned with words from poet Mahmoud Darwish: “I long for the bread of my mother.”
“The Arab community was deeply immersed in this World Cup, particularly when Arab teams were competing,” Abdraboh told Al Jazeera while preparing bread.
“All the Arab fans were raising the Palestinian flag. So, when any Arab team was playing, we were cheering for them as Palestinians.”
A record eight Arab teams participated in the 2026 tournament; Morocco achieved the deepest run, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to France.
Egypt reached the round of 16 but was eliminated following a two-goal lead loss to Argentina, a match marked by controversial officiating and a VAR-overturned goal.
Arab unity
For many Arab New Yorkers, the tournament served as a display of communal solidarity.
Mahmoud Kasem, owner of Al-Aqsa Bakery, installed a large outdoor screen and offered free falafel during major Arab matches to bring the community together.
“Not everything is about business. I love soccer. Across the Arab world, we are infatuated with the game. I wanted to create a beautiful atmosphere as we do in Palestine. Put a TV outside and tell people, ‘Come and watch,’” Kasem told Al Jazeera.
“The beauty of it is seeing the Palestinians, the Lebanese, the Moroccans, the Jordanians, everyone get together. I love unity. I love community and being all together.”
He expressed a hope that Arab leaders would emulate the diaspora by prioritizing unity over borders and disputes.
Kasem also shared how he successfully negotiated with police officers regarding street closures caused by his community celebrations, comparing the fervor to New York Knicks championship celebrations.
Like many in Bay Ridge, Kasem is rooting for a Spanish victory on Sunday, citing cultural and linguistic ties as well as Madrid’s political stances.
“When Palestine was bombed, they took a stance. When Lebanon was bombed, they took a stance,” he told Al Jazeera. “They stand with humanity. They stand with freedom.”
Kasem noted that many Palestinians are already supporters of major Spanish clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Beyond the government, various Spanish public figures have expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Last year, the Basque club Athletic Club—which features players like Unai Simon and Nico Williams—officially called for an end to the violence in Gaza.
Kasem remarked that while politics should ideally stay out of sports, he believes FIFA has politicized the game through its selective decisions regarding global conflicts.
Argentina-Israel vibes
Some spectators have linked the Argentinian national team to Israel due to the political alignments of President Javier Milei’s government.
Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for Argentina, and Israeli flags were observed during Argentina’s match against Egypt.
However, the Argentinian players and team management have not officially taken a political stance on the conflict.
In 2018, Argentina notably cancelled a friendly match in Jerusalem following pressure from Palestinian rights advocates.
Consequently, some Arab Americans continue to support Argentina, believing that Lionel Messi’s talent transcends political boundaries.
Karim Bouzeraa, a 24-year-old barber in Bay Ridge, suggested that the presence of Israeli flags does not necessarily define Argentinian football.
“Messi is a legend,” he told Al Jazeera. “Twenty years of competition is not something easy. We’ve seen other legends, but no one with the same longevity.”
Bouzeraa added that regardless of the final outcome, it was moving to see the unified support shown by Arab fans for all teams throughout the tournament.
“At the end of the day, we are all Arabs – one blood. Hopefully in the next World Cup we see many Arab teams, so we can support them,” he said.
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