The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is reportedly preparing for an urgent vote next week concerning a potential suspension of the Israeli national football team from its European competitions. This development comes as UEFA faces significant political pressure from multiple fronts, including the United States government and various national football federations. These bodies are advocating for restrictive actions against Israel, citing alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
The situation has escalated following appeals from United Nations experts, who have publicly called for Israel’s suspension from international football. These calls are made amidst accusations of genocidal acts against the Palestinian population in Gaza. UEFA is expected to finalize its decision next week on whether to proceed with a formal vote to potentially bar Israel from European tournaments.
However, should UEFA decide to impose a ban, it would find itself at odds with the US government. The United States, a co-host of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, has expressed strong opposition to any punitive measures against Israel. A spokesperson for the US State Department previously indicated that the US would actively work to prevent any attempts to exclude the Israeli national team from the 2026 World Cup.
This creates a complex scenario: while UEFA holds the authority to suspend Israel or its clubs from European-level competitions, its jurisdiction does not extend to FIFA World Cup qualifiers or the tournament proper, which fall under the purview of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). Israel is currently competing in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers, holding third place with nine points from five matches. They are level on points with second-placed Italy, who have played one less game, and six points behind group leaders Norway. Israel’s upcoming fixtures include crucial matches against Norway and Italy in October, followed by Moldova in November.
Critics have also highlighted what they perceive as a “double standard” by FIFA regarding Russia and Israel. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian national team and clubs were banned from international competitions, including the Olympics and FIFA-organized events. In contrast, despite widespread allegations and evidence of war crimes in Gaza, Israel has continued to participate in international football without facing similar sanctions. Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez publicly stated his belief that Israel should be suspended from international sports competitions due to its ongoing actions.
Israel, for its part, maintains that its military operations are directed against the militant group Hamas, not against the civilian population of Gaza. They cite the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, as the justification for their actions. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis, with local health officials reporting over 65,000 fatalities to date.
