FIFA comments on Israel’s exclusion

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·4 Oktober 2025

FIFA comments on Israel’s exclusion

Just as Russia was suspended from football competitions following its attack on Ukraine, some are now pushing for Israel to be suspended from football competitions due to its actions in the Gaza Strip. The Times has mentioned such a possible decision by UEFA. However, FIFA, through its president Gianni Infantino, has stated that it is not considering this, as reported by France Info.

“Referring to ‘the ongoing situation in Gaza’ at the opening of the council’s closed-door meeting on Thursday, October 2, its president Gianni Infantino said that ‘the power of football’ was to ‘bring people together in a divided world’ by offering ‘a message of peace and unity,’ according to a statement from the organization. According to the Italian-Swiss leader, FIFA ‘cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world by leveraging its unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian values.’”

This is a very particular and sensitive situation, so we will avoid entering into a major debate that would take us away from football. It is worth noting that some are questioning this explanation, given that Russia was excluded. Even though it is a different case, geopolitics is certainly involved.

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In any case, for now, Israel and its clubs can continue to participate in football competitions. A change is not impossible, but it seems distant today. It is difficult to know whether UEFA could act without the support of FIFA.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.