Soccer is affected by politics, and the conflict in the Middle East could have significant impacts on the game. Reports indicate that UEFA is contemplating barring Israel from the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to the ongoing war in the region.
If this decision passes, it would mean a serious and indefinite disqualification for Israel. This would exclude the team not just from European competitions but also from the FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle of the sport.
ESPN reports that UEFA plans to hold an emergency vote on whether to suspend Israel from all its international competitions. If the suspension proceeds, it would automatically eliminate Israel’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The implications would not only affect the national team. Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel’s top club currently in the UEFA Europa League, might also be removed from competition if the suspension is enacted.
Israel players prior to a game against France. (Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Previous attempts to push for suspension
This isn’t the first time there have been calls to exclude Israel from international competition. The Italian Football Coaches Association (AIAC Nazionale) recently sent an open letter asking the Italian Football Federation to support Israel’s suspension from UEFA and FIFA events.
Titled “Israel Must Stop. Football Must Act Too,” the letter urged FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and other national associations to stand with the Palestinian people and formally ask UEFA and FIFA for action.
Not the first exclusion from the World Cup
If Israel is ultimately unable to compete in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, it would not be the first national team to be excluded due to political reasons. Russia was banned from FIFA following its invasion of Ukraine, with all Russian teams barred from international play.
Other nations like Congo and Pakistan have also faced suspensions. Congo was banned for outside interference in its federation, while Pakistan was penalized for not updating its constitution to match FIFA’s democratic election standards.