Pep Guardiola has issued one of his strongest political interventions to date, openly criticising massacres in Gaza and accusing world leaders of failing the Palestinian people.
His remarks come as Catalonia prepares to host a high-profile charity match aimed at raising funds and drawing global attention to the humanitarian crisis in the region.
On Tuesday, Barcelona’s Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium will become the stage for an ACT x Palestine friendly between the Catalonia national side and the Palestine national team.
Organisers have already sold more than 25,000 tickets, signalling both the emotional and political weight the fixture currently carries.
Proceeds from the event will be channelled directly into humanitarian support and reconstruction projects in Gaza, where, according to the Gaza health ministry, approximately 70,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the conflict intensified.
The war escalated dramatically in October 2023 after Hamas launched an attack in Israel that left around 1,200 Israelis dead and saw roughly 250 hostages taken.
Israel’s subsequent military campaign across Gaza has faced widespread international condemnation and what was described as massacres in Gaza
A United Nations commission later described the assault on the strip as a “genocide”, while former US president Donald Trump has attempted to push forward a 20-point peace initiative designed to bring an end to the violence.
But Guardiola believes symbolic political gestures and promises of peace plans fall short of addressing the scale of destruction already inflicted.
For him, the upcoming charity match is far more than a sporting occasion—it is a statement of resistance, solidarity, and remembrance.
“The world has abandoned Palestine,” – Guardiola declares
Speaking in an interview with RAC1, the Manchester City manager delivered a rare, unfiltered assessment of the humanitarian situation and the international response.
Visibly moved, Guardiola said the match in Barcelona is an attempt to send a message to Palestinians that they are not alone in their suffering.
“It’s more than just a symbolic match,” Guardiola said to RAC1 in an incredibly outspoken interview.
“These days, everyone knows everything, and with this game, the Palestinians will see that there’s a part of the world that cares about them.”
He continued with an even more forceful condemnation of global leaders and the indifference he perceives toward Palestinian suffering.
“The world has abandoned Palestine. We have done absolutely nothing. They are not to blame for having been born there. We have all allowed an entire people to be destroyed. The damage is done and it is irreparable.”
Guardiola’s emotional appeal went further, questioning how anyone could defend the level of violence faced by civilians in Gaza.
“I can’t imagine a single person in this world who could defend the massacres in Gaza.
Our children could be there and be killed simply for being born. I have very little faith in world leaders. They’ll do anything to stay in power.”
His words add fuel to a growing international sports and political debate over Israel’s future in global football.
For months, UEFA and FIFA have faced escalating calls from athletes, advocacy groups, and several national associations urging them to suspend Israel from international competitions.
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The calls follow precedents set in 2022, when Russia was swiftly removed from UEFA and FIFA tournaments after its invasion of Ukraine.
Reports earlier this year suggested UEFA’s executive committee was preparing to vote on a potential ban.
However, the decision was placed on hold after Trump unveiled his peace plan, temporarily cooling the momentum behind punitive football sanctions.
Despite objections from multiple nations, Israel remained eligible to compete in the 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle.
They finished third in Group I, behind Norway and Italy—two sides that had earlier protested Israel’s participation.
Israel took 12 points from eight matches, concluding their campaign with a 4–1 win over Moldova on Sunday.
