The Trump administration intends to prevent FIFA from banning Israel's national soccer team before the 2026 World Cup, according to a report from Sky News. UN advisory experts this week urged the global and European soccer bodies to suspend all Israeli teams because of the war in Gaza. As Israel's men's team attempts to qualify for next year's World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, FIFA has not yet responded to the UN rapporteurs. The US government, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has intervened directly to stop sanctions. A state department representative told Sky News, "We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel's national soccer team from the World Cup."
A FIFA investigation was launched last year regarding claims of discrimination by the Palestinian soccer Association against the Israeli association. FIFA is also investigating whether teams from Israeli settlements in the West Bank playing in Israeli competitions violate its rules. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has a close relationship with US President Donald Trump and regularly visits the White House, as reported by Sky News. Infantino, who was in New York for the UN General Assembly this week, referenced the war during a speech about a "divided world, in an aggressive world," after receiving an award.
Referencing the difficulty of sanctioning countries, Infantino said there are 80 ongoing conflicts. He added, "I suffer when I see children suffer. I cry when I see mothers crying, whether it's in Gaza... anywhere in the world." Sky News reported yesterday that European soccer officials are holding high-level talks about a possible ban, though no decision has been reached. Officials have debated why Russia remains banned for the war in Ukraine, yet Israel can still play in European competitions. UEFA, the European soccer federation where Israel plays and through which it would try to qualify for the tournament, previously said the conflicts started differently, with Russia's unprovoked invasion and Israel's response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. However, a UN commission has since accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, which Israel denies, leading to UN advisers calling for Israeli teams to be expelled.
