UEFA may vote to bar Israel from international soccer, a move critics call political hypocrisy that rewards Hamas while punishing Jewish athletes.
The Associated Press reported Thursday that UEFA is preparing for a possible vote to suspend Israel’s soccer federation over its war against Hamas in Gaza. According to sources, a majority of UEFA’s 20-member executive committee is expected to back the measure, which would block Israeli national and club teams from competing internationally.
If approved, Israel would be barred from upcoming fixtures — including its World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Italy scheduled in two weeks.
The suspension proposal mirrors the precedent set in 2022, when Russia was banned from international play following its invasion of Ukraine. But critics argue the comparison is false and dangerous: Russia launched a war of aggression, while Israel is defending its citizens after the October 7 massacre, when Hamas murdered 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 250 hostages.
FIFA’s Role and U.S. Response
It remains unclear whether FIFA will support UEFA’s push. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who maintains close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, may resist moves to politicize the sport. The U.S. State Department has already signaled that Washington will work to prevent Israel’s exclusion from the World Cup.
FIFA’s 37-member council — which includes eight UEFA representatives — is set to meet next week in Zurich to discuss the matter.
Rising Anti-Israel Pressure
Calls for Israel’s exclusion from global sport have grown in recent weeks, fueled by international critics of its Gaza campaign. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged Israel’s suspension, invoking Russia’s ban. In addition, seven UN “human rights experts” appealed to FIFA and UEFA to punish Israel.
Israel’s Response
Israel’s Sports Minister Miki Zohar confirmed that he, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Soccer Federation Chairman Moshe Zuares are working “intensively behind the scenes” to counter the effort.
“Israel will not be singled out for defending itself against terror,” Zohar said, stressing that removing Israel would hand a propaganda victory to Hamas while punishing innocent athletes.
The Bigger Picture
For Israel, the stakes extend beyond the soccer pitch. A UEFA suspension would not only damage Israeli sports but would also embolden anti-Israel campaigns seeking to isolate the Jewish state diplomatically, culturally, and economically.
Once again, international institutions appear ready to punish the victim of terror rather than the perpetrators of mass murder.
