FIFA could potentially ban Israeli soccer from future international tournaments

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The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has called on FIFA to ban the Israel Football Association (IFA), citing alleged Israeli violations of international law and FIFA’s human rights policies. At the FIFA Annual Congress in Bangkok, PFA President Jibril Rajoub accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza, intensifying his appeal for action against the IFA.

“FIFA cannot afford to remain indifferent to these violations or to the ongoing genocide in Palestine, just as it did not remain indifferent to numerous precedents,” Rajoub stated. He also accused Israel of killing 193 Palestinian Authority (PA) soccer players disrupting PFA soccer activities amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

The head of the Israel Football Association, Moshe Zuares, rejected the accusations, which he described as a “cynical, political and hostile attempt by the Palestinian Association to harm Israeli football.”

“Make no mistake, the IFA never violated rules set by FIFA and UEFA and will never do so in the future,” Zuares added.

In its request, submitted in March, the PFA urged FIFA to ban Israeli soccer from international competitions, claiming that Israel violates international law in its defensive war against the Hamas terrorist organization, following the mass invasion and massacre of 1,200 Israeli civilians and the kidnapping of 250 men, women and children, 104 of whom are still in Hamas captivity.

FIFA has so far postponed a ruling on the matter and is seeking independent legal reviews from both sides of the conflict. However, FIFA is expected to make a decision by Saturday, though it remains unclear what the ruling will be.

A ban on Israeli soccer would impact the Israeli national team’s ability to participate in the European FIFA division, where Israel is currently a member. Additionally, it would prevent Israeli club teams from competing in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). A longer-term ban could potentially jeopardize Israel’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament.

The Israeli national team was set to play against Belgium on Sept. 6, however, Belgian authorities refused to host the game due to security concerns. Instead, Hungary stepped in and will host the Israel-Belgium game in the city of Debrecen.

While Israel is geographically located in the Middle East, it has belonged to the Union of European Football Associations(UEFA) since 1994, after its Arab neighbors expelled the Jewish state from the Asian Football Confederation.

Rajoub, who belongs to the PA's Fatah party, has a history of hostility toward Israel.

In November Rajoub defended the Hamas attack on southern Israel, claiming that the slaughter of Israeli children, women and men should be placed “in the context of the defensive war our people are waging.”

He also claimed the Oct. 7 attack was a response to Israeli “aggression,” but did not elaborate.

In May, FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the Oct. Hamas 7 massacre.

“Like everyone, I was extremely, extremely shocked by what happened on Oct. 7 in Israel,” Infantino said, adding: “And like anyone else, I was extremely, extremely shocked, and am extremely shocked at what’s happening in Gaza.”

“I pray for all those people who suffer the unimaginable … and I want, like all of you, just one thing: peace,” the FIFA head added.