Marseille ultras celebrate Spain's world cup victory with banner display

During the Ligue 1 season opener between Olympique de Marseille and Strasbourg at the Velodrome on August 21, 2026, the Marseille ultras group known as 'South Winners' displayed a large banner honoring the Spanish national team. The banner, which featured the Spanish flag and the message 'Viva Roja', celebrated Spain's recent victory at the 2026 World Cup.

The tribute was particularly striking given that Spain had recently eliminated France in the World Cup semi-finals, marking the third time in three years that Spain defeated France in major tournaments including the Euro and the Nations League. While some viewed the gesture as a show of solidarity, it is widely interpreted as a reflection of the internal political tensions between the city of Marseille and Paris. Marseille supporters have a history of such displays, having previously shown similar support for Spain in November 2024. The banner was removed shortly after the pre-match coin toss, amidst a backdrop of fan frustration regarding the club's current financial instability and the potential sale of its roster.