FIFA decided not to suspend Israel from international competitions

FIFA has kept Israel and its teams in international competitions. The corresponding statement was announced at the organization’s Council meeting on October 2, 2025.

FIFA’s Decision

During the meeting, FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that it is especially important now to invest in peace and unity, considering the current situation in Gaza. He noted that FIFA strives to use football values to unite people in challenging times.

Infantino’s Statement

Infantino also noted:

“Our task is to promote football on a global level, thereby contributing to humanitarian initiatives and education.”

His words became part of a larger discussion about FIFA’s role on the international stage, where organizations are under strong political pressure.

Amidst Pressures

The current situation is due to long-standing requests from the international community to ban Israeli teams, similar to what happened with Russia in 2022. The intensification of these issues has become particularly noticeable ahead of the World Cup, which will be held in 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The FIFA President has diplomatic ties, including relations with US President Donald Trump, who shows clear support for Israel. Therefore, it is expected that such a partnership will influence the organization’s position.

Israel’s Qualifying Campaign

The Israeli men’s national team is preparing for the World Cup 2026 qualifying matches. The first game will take place on October 11 against Norway in Oslo, and the return match on October 14 with Italy in Udine.

Norway and UEFA’s Opinion

It is worth emphasizing that Norway is one of the European federations calling for a vote at the UEFA level regarding Israeli teams before the start of the FIFA meeting in Zurich. The significance of these decisions begins with mentioning the latest trends in international football and politics.

Strained Relations with UEFA

Interestingly, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was present at the meeting. His relations with FIFA remain strained, which is related to different approaches to the tournament calendar and the need to reform the Club World Cup. Čeferin, in turn, opposes further expansion of this tournament.

The decision that UEFA will make regarding the situation with Israel will have further consequences, particularly for the basketball EuroLeague. As it became known, the organization is currently hesitating on the participation of teams from Israel, such as Maccabi and Hapoel.