Palestine Won the FIFA World Cup
In this blog, Hands Up Project Cairo Space Manager Rozan Elsaqqa reflects on the creation of Palestine Won the World Cup—a student-led theatre production that celebrates hope, imagination, and resilience. Alongside Rozan’s reflections, you’ll also hear from the young performers themselves, including Marah, Joud, and Zain, as they share what being part of the play meant to them and the dreams that inspired their performances.
If Palestine Won the FIFA World Cup: A Victory Beyond Football
Amid the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a thought crossed my mind.
Palestine did not even have the opportunity to compete. But what if, for one moment, we could imagine a different reality? What if our students could transform the idea of weakness into one of strength? The strength of hope, imagination, and resilience.
Jana and I got to work immediately. I asked her to write the script, and as soon as it was ready, I cast our students in the roles that suited them best. Joud became the anchor, Marah took on the role of the reporter, and, of course, Zain played the victorious footballer. As a devoted football fan through and through, he was the perfect choice for the role.
At our school, we encourage every student to pursue what they are passionate about. We believe that when students are given the opportunity to explore their interests, they become more motivated, confident, and eager to learn. By nurturing their talents and encouraging independent learning, we help them develop the skills, creativity, and resilience needed to grow, achieve their goals, and build a successful future.
For Zain, Marah, and Joud, this project combined two of their greatest passions: storytelling and making a difference. Their dedication and enthusiasm brought the play to life in ways we could never have imagined.
Here are their reflections on taking part in the production.
"My dream is to reach the national team. It would be a great honor to wear my country's jersey and represent my homeland. I want to make people look at us with respect and pride because of what we achieve. I am truly proud of my country, and I hope to make it proud of me too."
— Zain
"This play meant a lot to me. I had fun playing my role, even though I was a little nervous at first. It took me a long time to practise, but rehearsing with my friends made everything easier. Acting in this play made the dream of seeing Palestine one day play in the World Cup feel a little closer. It is a dream shared by every Palestinian, and being part of this production gave me hope that one day it could become a reality."
— Joud
**"The World Cup is a play about hope and imagination. In the story, Palestine wins the World Cup—not because it has happened in real life, but because theatre allows us to imagine the world as it could be. The play reminds us that dreams can inspire people and that hope, pride, and determination can exist even when something feels impossible today.
From my point of view, this play is about believing in dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. One of my biggest dreams is to see Palestine standing alongside every other nation one day, recognised and treated as a free country. I sincerely hope that day comes soon.
I also hope that this play, and the small effort we put into creating it, can make a difference—even if it is only by reminding people that Palestine exists, that its people have stories to tell, and that their voices deserve to be heard.
Viva Palestina."**
— Marah
Palestine Won the World Cup: Bringing Hope to the Stage
Every member of the team worked tirelessly, day after day, to bring this production to life. From the first rehearsal to the final recording, every student gave their best. We rehearsed scenes repeatedly, refined every detail, and finally filmed the play.
But we did not just create a theatre production.
We wanted to remind every Palestinian that dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem today, can one day become reality. Through imagination, creativity, and storytelling, we hoped to give our audience something much greater than entertainment—we hoped to give them hope.
More than a football story, "Palestine Won the World Cup" is a celebration of hope. It reminds us that sport has the power to unite people, inspire generations, and tell stories that reach far beyond the stadium. Whether viewed as a work of fiction or as a symbol of possibility, the play encourages audiences to believe that determination, resilience, and unity can turn even the boldest dreams into reality.
I am incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to this production—our talented students, our creative team, and our supportive audience.
What makes me even prouder is that this production truly belongs to our students. Jana wrote the script, while Joud, Zain, and Marah brought the story to life through their outstanding performances. Finally, our talented student Karam edited the footage and transformed it into a genuine masterpiece, capturing the emotion and spirit of the play beautifully.
Audience Response
One of the most rewarding moments was witnessing the audience's emotional response.
Throughout the performance, spectators laughed, applauded, held their breath during tense moments, and celebrated each fictional victory as though it were happening in real life. Many shared that the play reminded them of the power of hope, the importance of believing in one another, and the unique ability of theatre to bring impossible stories to life.
Their reactions confirmed that our message extended far beyond football.
Our wonderful volunteers during the Saturday LinkUp, many of whom were moved to tears as they watched the play for the very first time. Their emotional response reminded us why we created this production in the first place—to inspire hope, spark imagination, and remind people that dreams have the power to unite us.
Final Thoughts
"Palestine Won the World Cup" is ultimately a story about believing in possibilities.
It demonstrates that theatre can transport audiences beyond reality, allowing them to imagine a world where hope triumphs over doubt and dreams overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. While the events on stage are fictional, the emotions they evoke are genuine.
As educators, we often talk about giving students a voice. This project allowed them to use that voice creatively, confidently, and meaningfully. It was not simply a school play—it was a student-led production that showcased imagination, collaboration, empathy, and courage.
We are immensely proud of every student, teacher, volunteer, and creative contributor who helped bring this vision to life. Together, we created more than a play—we created an experience that celebrated hope, resilience, and the enduring belief that every great achievement begins with the courage to dream.