FIFA has made it clear that it cannot intervene in geopolitical conflicts despite ongoing calls to ban Israel from international football competitions. The world football governing body emphasized its focus on promoting peace and unity through the sport.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s stance on the issue
Speaking on Thursday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed concerns regarding Israel’s participation in upcoming fixtures. He led a meeting of FIFA’s ruling council, where Israel was not formally included on the agenda ahead of the resumption of the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches next week.
Infantino acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding the conflict in Gaza, noting that European soccer leaders had previously pushed for action against Israeli teams during the two-year conflict. However, this movement paused following a recent peace proposal announced at the White House by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems but it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values,” Infantino said.
Upcoming matches and ongoing tensions
Israel is scheduled to face Norway in Oslo on October 11 and Italy in Udine on October 14 as part of the World Cup qualifiers. Despite the political tensions surrounding the region, FIFA insists that the sport must remain a platform for bringing people together, rather than a stage for political disputes.
The governing body’s approach reflects a broader commitment to keeping politics separate from sport, even as calls for boycotts and bans continue in some circles.
