Italy made to wait as UEFA consider Israel ban | OneFootball

Reports in the UK claim that UEFA are set to make a decision on whether to suspend Israel by the end of next week, which leaves Italy in the dark ahead of their scheduled World Cup qualifier against Ran Ben Shimon’s side in October.

What potential Israel ban means for Italy national team

According to the latest updates from The Times, UEFA will make a decision on whether to suspend Israel from participating in its competitions next week. Thursday’s report claims that ‘most’ members of UEFA’s executive committee are in favour of a suspension.

This comes after a panel of UN advisors called upon UEFA and FIFA to issue a suspension after a UN Commission of Inquiry decided that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

As per The Times, UEFA will make a decision on the matter by the end of next week. Critics argue that Russia has been banned from competing in European competition since the nation’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and that Israel should face similar punishment.

Italy fans turn their backs on Israel anthem (@calciomercatoit)

The situation leaves Italy in the dark as things stand. The Azzurri and Israel are due to go head to head in Udine in World Cup qualifying on October 14, but as things stand, it is not known whether Israel will still be able to participate.

Italy ran out 5-4 victors when the two nations met in World Cup qualifying in September in Gennaro Gattuso’s second match as CT.

Either way, a decision on whether to suspend Israel or not is expected to have a significant impact on Italy’s route for the 2026 World Cup given that the two national teams are currently level on nine points apiece in qualification Group I. Israel has played one more game in qualifying than Italy as things stand.