On 25/9, a spokesperson for the US State Department, headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, told Sky News, "We will certainly do everything possible to block any effort to exclude the Israeli national soccer team from the World Cup".
This is the first official response from the Trump administration following calls for FIFA to ban Israel from international tournaments.
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The Israeli national soccer team. Photo: Reuters |
The Israeli national soccer team. Photo: Reuters
Last week, an independent United Nations commission of inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, almost two years after the conflict began. This report has fueled demands to ban Israel from major sporting events. However, Tel Aviv rejected the accusations, calling the investigation "biased and fabricated".
As co-host of the 2026 World Cup, the US has considerable influence over FIFA's decisions. The close personal relationship between Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino further strengthens Washington's potential to intervene if pressure mounts to exclude Israel.
Previously, several international figures and organizations have voiced their opposition to Israel's presence on the soccer field. Manchester United legend Eric Cantona called on FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel at an event in London on 20/9, citing Russia's expulsion from the World Cup just four days after launching its military campaign in Ukraine in 2022.
"We are witnessing double standards," Cantona said. "It has been 716 days since Amnesty International called this a genocide, yet Israel is still allowed to compete".
That same day, actor Benedict Cumberbatch read poetry by Mahmoud Darwish to express support for Palestine. In the UK, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and MP Ayoub Khan called for the Aston Villa versus Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League match to be canceled or moved to a neutral venue. In Europe, some clubs, such as Bohemians (Ireland), have written to UEFA demanding the immediate suspension of Israeli soccer.
Pressure is also increasing at the government level. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez suggested excluding Israel from international sports and even threatened to boycott the 2026 World Cup if Israel qualifies. Spain, along with Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, also warned they would not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is present.
The controversy is not limited to soccer. Sponsor Premier Tech threatened to withdraw funding from the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team if the name "Israel" was not removed. In tennis, security concerns led to the Davis Cup match between Canada and Israel being held without spectators.
FIFA is investigating the Israeli Football Association (IFA) over alleged violations of regulations by allowing clubs in West Bank settlements to compete in the domestic system. The Palestinian Football Association also accused the IFA of discrimination, but Israel denied the allegations.
Israel is aiming for its second World Cup appearance, following its debut in 1970. After five matches in Group I of the European qualifiers, they have 9 points, placing them third in the group, behind Norway and Italy, but ahead of Estonia and Moldova. This position is currently not enough to secure a direct ticket or a place in the second qualifying round, but three matches remain.
Hoang An (Telegraph)
