FIFA President Addresses Israel's Participation Amid Controversy
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the global governing body of football "cannot solve geopolitical problems" as calls for sanctions against Israel intensify.
Last month, a United Nations commission of inquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Although Israel's participation in football was not officially on the agenda of the FIFA council meeting held on Thursday, Infantino addressed the issue in his opening remarks at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich.
The 55-year-old Italian emphasized FIFA's commitment to "using the power of football" to unite people in a divided world. "Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today. The most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity," Infantino remarked.
He further stated, "FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian values."
Currently, Israel's national team is competing in the European qualifiers for next summer's men's World Cup, while the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv is participating in the Europa League.
Amnesty International has urged FIFA, the organizer of the World Cup, and UEFA, which oversees European competitions, to suspend the Israeli Football Association from their tournaments.
FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani stated on Wednesday that the decision lies with UEFA. "First and foremost, [Israel] is a member of UEFA, just as I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason. They have to handle that," he said.
Israel currently ranks third in its World Cup qualifying group organized by UEFA, six points behind leaders Norway. The top team from each group qualifies automatically for the tournament, while the runners-up enter the play-offs.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to oppose any efforts to prevent Israel from participating.
The UN report indicated reasonable grounds to conclude that four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law have been carried out by Israel in Gaza since the onset of the conflict in 2023.
A panel of human rights experts at the UN has subsequently called for FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel's national team from international football, asserting that "sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual."
Israel has consistently denied that its actions in Gaza constitute genocide, claiming they are justified as acts of self-defense. The Israeli foreign ministry described the UN report as "distorted and false."