Donald Trump to block move to ban Israel from 2026 World Cup
Donald Trump to block move to ban Israel from 2026 World Cup
The Donald Trump administration has vowed to prevent FIFA from banning Israel from the 2026 World Cup.
European football’s governing body, UEFA, is understood to be moving towards a vote to suspend Israel next week over the war in Gaza.
It is unclear whether FIFA will support UEFA’s decision or follow suit.
However, the United States government insist they will prevent any attempt to stop Israel from playing at the World Cup next year, which will be held in the US, Canada and
‘We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup,’ a US state department spokesperson told Sky News.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are due to host Israeli side Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa League on November 6.
Panel of Experts Ask of the Exclusion of Israel from International Football Events.
Earlier this week, a panel of experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council demanded the exclusion of Israel from international football events.
‘Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual,’ the experts said.
‘Sporting bodies must not turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations, especially when their platforms are used to normalize injustices.’
That report came after a commission established by the United Nations concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Israel responded by saying it ‘categorically rejects this distorted and false report’.
Last week, Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, also called for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions.
‘The sports organizations should consider whether it’s ethical for Israel to keep participating in international competitions. Why expel Russia after the invasion of Ukraine and not expel Israel after the invasion of Gaza?’ Sanchez said.
‘Until the barbarity ends, neither Russia nor Israel should be in any international competition.’
Russia has been banned by FIFA and UEFA in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
