3-foot, 7-inch Gaza footballer recounts challenges of watching World Cup games amid strikes

For Haitham Al-Saqqa, a 38-year-old footballer and humanitarian worker in Gaza, the World Cup is a distant dream overshadowed by the realities of war. Amidst ongoing military attacks, intermittent electricity, and devastated infrastructure, Palestinian fans like Haitham navigate the tournament with fear and sobriety. Haitham, who stands at three feet seven inches and identifies as a person of short stature, founded Palestine's first national football team for individuals with dwarfism.

His aspirations of competing internationally were shattered when the war erupted in October 2023. The group was unable to travel to a regional tournament in Morocco, and tragically, several members, including teammates Ahmed Awad and Salah Shaalan, were killed along with their families in Israeli strikes in northern Gaza. Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh, an orthopaedic surgeon and a member of the Palestinian Football Association, also perished during the conflict. Haitham himself witnessed fatalities while attempting to watch a Champions League match in November 2023.

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Their loss affected me profoundly. They were friends, teammates, and partners in a dream we had spent time building together.

Survival has become the primary focus for many in Gaza, making it difficult to reunite the football team. Haitham explains the constant fear of walking outside, especially at night, due to the proximity of his home to the conflict zone. This fear extends to watching games with friends at cafes or restaurants, compounded by regular electricity cuts. Despite these challenges, Haitham has managed to watch about 20 games through various means, but he refuses to let his son join him, citing the pervasive climate of terror following the deaths of over 1,000 Palestinians since the ceasefire.

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My home is not far from the yellow line, it’s less than one kilometre. This makes us afraid to walk in the street, especially at night after 9pm when the matches are starting. I’m afraid to go to the cafe or restaurant to watch the games with my friends. If I do decide to watch one, the electricity regularly cuts out.