The 2026 World Cup once again demonstrated this Friday that football can also be a space for solidarity. The last two games of the day, Egypt vs. Iran and New Zealand vs. Belgium They joined the tributes to the victims of the earthquakes that hit Venezuela with a respectful minute of silence before the start of both meetings.
The World Cup paused to pay tribute to the victims of the earthquakes that shook Venezuela on June 24. Before several group stage matches, a minute of silence was observed, while teams and fans expressed messages of solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
The two earthquakes, of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5they have left at least 920 dead and more than 3,300 injuredaccording to the most recent official balance, while search and rescue efforts continue in the most affected areas, especially in the state of La Guaira.
The tragedy has provoked widespread international mobilization. Rescue and humanitarian aid teams from different countries are already working in Venezuela, while international organizations coordinate assistance for thousands of families who lost their homes or remain affected by the emergency.
Before the match between France and Norwaydisputed in the Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium)players, coaching staff and fans observed a respectful minute of silence. The tribute was also carried out at the meeting between Senegal and Iraqin Toronto, where the stadium’s public address system invited attendees to remember the victims.
The tribute was repeated in the Guadalajara Stadium (Akron)before the duel between Spain and Uruguay. The Spanish team had already had a similar gesture during its training the previous day in Mexican territory.
Another of the most emotional moments was experienced in Houston, before the game between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. In addition to the minute of silence, the Cape Verdean Football Federation released a video in which the entire delegation sent a message of support to the Venezuelan people.
“With deep sadness, the national team delegation learned of the earthquake that shook Venezuela. To the Venezuelan people, we wish you a lot of strength in this moment of pain. We are with you.”
The tributes also transcended the sports field. The Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UN) dedicated a minute of silence during one of its sessions, while different governments, sports federations and international organizations expressed their condolences and offered humanitarian support.
On a day marked by decisive matches to define those classified for the round of 32, football paused to remember that, beyond the competition, there are tragedies that unite people. For thousands of Venezuelans, inside and outside their country, these gestures represented a message of support in the midst of one of the greatest humanitarian emergencies that the nation has faced in recent decades.