US vows to block UN push to ban Israel from 2026 World Cup

Four members of the UN’s Human Rights Council issued a statement on Tuesday calling for the suspension of Israel from international competition due to what it described as an “unfolding genocide” in Gaza.

“Sporting bodies must not turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations, especially when their platforms are used to normalize injustices,” the statement read.

“National teams representing states that commit massive human rights violations can and should be suspended,” the UN rights body said, describing FIFA’s current approach as “legitimizing the situation arising from Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

A US State Department spokesperson responded to the calls, saying “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup.”

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and its European governing body, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), have continued to allow Israeli football clubs to participate in their competitions throughout the genocidal war in Gaza.

The Israeli team is also currently bidding to reach next summer’s World Cup tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The legitimization of Israeli participation in international football competitions takes place amid calls by the international community to ban the regime from participation — a call that has gained more momentum in recent months.

In April and May 2024, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) asked FIFA to suspend Israel from competition in a submission made before FIFA’s 74th annual congress, but FIFA did not suspend Israel.

“Our issue, sadly again, is stuck in a highly politicized bureaucratic holding pattern,” said Susan Shalabi, vice president of the PFA.

Teams representing the regime initially participated in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions but were excluded in 1974 after several teams refused to play against them, and they now compete in UEFA competitions.

French football legend Eric Cantona last week slammed FIFA’s “double standards” by comparing the situations of Russia and Israel.

FIFA suspended Russia from competing in international matches on February 28, 2022, after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated. Russian clubs were also suspended from European competition by UEFA.