FIFA’s Infantino urges soccer to promote peace and takes no action against Israel
FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the growing global calls to suspend Israeli teams from soccer, emphasizing the governing body’s role in promoting peace and unity rather than solving political issues. The meeting of FIFA’s ruling council in Zurich did not formally include Israel on the agenda, as the focus was on the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying games.
Following a peace proposal in the White House by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the push against Israeli teams by European soccer leaders was temporarily paused. Infantino highlighted the importance of promoting peace and unity, especially in light of the ongoing situation in Gaza, without directly referencing Israel.
Despite calls from European soccer federations, including Norway and Turkey, to suspend Israeli teams from international competitions, FIFA did not schedule a news conference to address the issue. The Israel men’s team is set to play World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Italy in October.
Infantino’s close ties with Trump and the U.S. State Department’s support for Israel’s status in soccer made it unlikely for FIFA to follow any UEFA vote on suspending Israeli teams. The recent peace proposal was welcomed by governments in the Middle East, including Qatar, a key supporter of the Palestinian people.
In a meeting with Palestinian soccer federation leader Jibril Rajoub, Infantino discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, but there was no mention of progress on the two investigations initiated by FIFA last year in response to a formal request by the Palestinian soccer body to suspend Israel.
Overall, FIFA’s focus remains on promoting football’s unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian values worldwide. The unique challenges and complexities of geopolitics continue to shape the organization’s approach, emphasizing the importance of peace and unity in the context of sports diplomacy.
