FIFA will not suspend Israel from international competitions

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the organization «cannot solve geopolitical problems»

A United Nations commission of inquiry concluded last month that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. And although the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week was not meant to address Israel’s participation in football, Infantino still brought up the issue in his opening remarks at the session.

Infantino emphasized that the organization’s mission is to promote peace and unity through sport. He said that FIFA should use football to bring people together, especially amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli men’s national team will be allowed to participate in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Norway on October 11 and Italy on October 14.