The Trump administration has vowed to block 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 Mexico.
‘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.
Israel have already played five World Cup qualifying matches and remain in contention to feature at next year’s competition, although they have not reached a major tournament since 1970.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are due to host Israeli side Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa League on November 6.
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 normalise 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 organisations 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.
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