Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan confronts fans over Israeli flag at World Cup

After watching his team complete one of the biggest collapses in World Cup history, Egyptian head coach Hossam Hassan only made matters worse.

Egypt was up 2-0 but allowed three goals in the final 20 minutes against Argentina to get eliminated in the Round of 16 in devastating fashion.

As he was leaving the pitch, Hassan, who has openly supported Palestinians throughout the World Cup, appeared to spot two Argentinian fans holding an Israeli flag.

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Hossam Hassan, head coach of Egypt, reacts after a 3-2 loss during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Argentina at Atlanta Stadium July 7, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Hassan and another coach appeared irate at the fans, pointing at them from the field and appearing to mimic a spit in their direction. Hassan then got in the face of a photographer capturing the moment, while another coach appeared to drop an F-bomb toward the fans.

After Egypt’s win over Australia in the Round of 32 over the weekend, Hassan waved a Palestinian flag on the field. After a victory via penalty kicks, Hassan said he was dedicating Egypt’s win to the “good and noble” Egyptian and Palestinian people.

“My heart and soul are with them,” he said after that match. “I dedicate this victory to the Palestinians. May Allah grant them victory and have mercy on their martyrs.

“If there is anyone in the world who does not feel for the Palestinian people, then they are not human,” Hassan added earlier this week.

Hossam Hassa of Egypt during a Round of 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 game against Argentina at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta July 7, 2026. (Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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A video from last month’s Iran-New Zealand World Cup game at SoFi Stadium outside Los Angeles appeared to show a man’s Israeli flag getting confiscated, while adjacent Palestinian flags were permitted to remain in the stands. 

The man with the Israeli flag told Fox News Digital after the incident he was also told by security that the “head of FIFA didn’t care about” the Palestinian flag behind him, “and they only cared about my flag in particular.”

“They said they don’t have a problem with their flags, and they only have an issue with ours,” he said, citing a double standard. “They had no marching orders in order to take their flag, or anyone else’s flag. It was pretty embarrassing.

“They said they don’t have a problem with their flags, and they only have an issue with ours,” he added. “They had no marching orders in order to take their flag, or anyone else’s flag. It was pretty embarrassing.”

Hossam Hassan, head coach of Egypt, reacts during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Argentin at Atlanta Stadium July 7, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. (Wu Zhizhao/VCG via Getty Images)

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FIFA rule 4.2.23 states that World Cup attendees must only use flags “in a festive and friendly manner.” FIFA also prohibits “materials” that are of “political … nature.” However, The Associated Press notes that FIFA said it is permitted to display the Palestinian flag at the World Cup.

OutKick’s Jon Root contributed to this report.

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