Pep Guardiola urges fans to attend Catalan-Palestine charity match in Barcelona

In a heartfelt appeal to fans, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lent his global influence to the Catalan-Palestine charity match, urging the people of Barcelona to fill the stands on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Olympic Stadium.

“This match is a moving tribute to the souls of more than 400 Palestinian athletes who were martyred in Gaza,” Guardiola said in a video message that has since gone viral. He emphasized that the event goes beyond football, serving as a global cry of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The charity match, which pits Catalonia against the Palestinian national team aims to combine sport with humanitarian action. All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to support humanitarian aid and vital community projects in Palestine, providing tangible relief to those affected by ongoing conflict.

Beyond its humanitarian purpose, the match holds significant sporting value. For the Palestinian team, facing the competitive Catalan side offers a critical opportunity to prepare for their Arab Cup playoff match against Libya on November 25 in Doha, Qatar. Guardiola highlighted that the match is both a symbolic and technical rehearsal, allowing players to gain experience under pressure while reinforcing a message of peace.