Iran says Spain World Cup win brings joy to critics of US, 'Israel'

• Iran praised Spain’s World Cup victory, linking the win to global support for Madrid’s positions on Gaza and the US-‘Israel’ war on Iran.
• Iranian officials highlighted Spain’s criticism of ‘Israel’ while pro-‘Israel’ supporters had backed Argentina during the final.

Iran congratulated Spain on its 2026 World Cup final victory over Argentina, saying the result brought joy to people around the world who oppose the United States and ‘Israel’.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Spain’s win reflected support for countries and communities that oppose what Tehran described as aggression and oppression.

“The players’ defense of the Palestinian people and the support of Spain for Iran showed that freedom and assertiveness are characteristics of that intelligent and respectful nation,” Ghalibaf said in remarks quoted by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.

He added that Spain’s 1-0 victory “not only made the hearts of the Spanish people happy but also the hearts of many free, independent and justice-loving nations around the world.”

Iranian officials pointed to the Spanish government’s criticism of ‘Israel’s’ policies in the Gaza Strip and Madrid’s opposition to the US-‘Israel’ war on Iran as reasons for the support Spain received internationally.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Spain’s stance against what he described as aggression, genocide and oppression had been “valuable.”

Meanwhile, some ‘Israeli’ politicians and football fans had expressed support for Argentina, whose President Javier Milei has been a vocal supporter of ‘Israel’s’ policies.