Similar to Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, Israel could soon be suspended from football competitions, according to The Times. UEFA could take action as early as next week, given the ongoing events in Gaza.
“Exclusive: UEFA expected to decide on Israel suspension next week – a large majority of executive committee members and national associations are reportedly in favor of a ban.
An UEFA suspension of Israel would put FIFA in a difficult position, given the close relationship its president, Gianni Infantino, has with President Trump. The White House would be very unhappy if Infantino and FIFA suspended Israel before next year’s World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.”
This isn’t meant to delve into broader political discussions. Rather, it’s simply presenting a highly credible piece of information. It comes from a reliable source, and a sanction makes sense given the sanctions already imposed on Russia, even if the situations are different.
Israeli clubs could therefore be barred from European competitions. Similarly, Israel could be excluded from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, although that would depend on FIFA. The matter is far from settled, as the media outlet points out. But it would be unusual for UEFA to act and FIFA not to follow suit, especially if many countries are pushing for a sanction.
