New Delhi: Pressure is mounting on FIFA to suspend Israel from participating in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as international voices accuse the football body of hypocrisy and double standards, reported the Siasat.
Several organizations and leaders have joined the chorus demanding Israel’s expulsion, citing its ongoing war crimes and genocide in Gaza. Recently, Morocco’s former justice minister Mustapha Ramid urged FIFA to act, drawing comparisons with Russia’s swift suspension following its invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier, the Italian Football Coaches Association had also written to the Italian Football Federation, requesting a formal petition to FIFA for Israel’s suspension from all international football events.
Russia, once the 2018 World Cup host, has been barred by both UEFA and FIFA since 2022, while Belarus too has faced sanctions in various sports due to its role in the Ukraine conflict. Yet, no such action has been taken against Israel despite mounting international criticism.
Historically, Israel was part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) but was expelled in 1974 due to the Arab League boycott. It later gained full membership in UEFA in 1994, allowing it to bypass regional restrictions.
Supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement have long pushed for Israel’s expulsion, but FIFA has resisted, arguing that athletes should not be punished for political issues. Critics, however, accuse FIFA of shielding Israel under U.S. and Western influence, while punishing Russia for similar actions.
The growing campaign against Israel’s participation underscores the widening debate over the intersection of politics and global sports.
