Photo: Getty Images
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the governing body of European soccer, is reportedly moving toward a vote to suspend Israel over its war in Gaza, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to the Associated Press on Thursday (September 25).
The majority of the 20-member executive committee is reportedly expected to vote in favor of suspending Israeli teams from international play, two sources familiar with the situation confirmed to the AP on the condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the subject. The move would prevent Israeli national and clubs teams from competing in the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The Israeli men's team is scheduled to resume World Cup qualifying play in two weeks with matchups against Norway and Italy. It's unclear whether FIFA, international soccer's governing body, will support the decision given its president's reported close relationship with President Donald Trump. The Trump administration said it will work toward stopping Israel from being banned from the 2026 World Cup following initial reports of the vote, the New York Times reports.
FIFA's 37-member ruling council is reportedly set to have a meeting in Zurich next week amid increased calls to ban Israel from soccer and other international sporting events. A United Nations commission comprised of a team of independent experts formally accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and called on the international community to end the campaign earlier this month.
“The international community cannot stay silent on the genocidal campaign launched by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza. When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, the absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity,” said Navi Pillay, chair of the commission, via NBC News. “Every day of inaction costs lives and erodes the credibility of the international community."
Israel, which launched its war with Hamas following the terror attacks on a music festival in October 2023, rejected the accusations as "distorted and false." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel now only has "a very short window" to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas following the launching of expanded ground operations.