Ankara: Momentum is building for Israel's suspension from international football, with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) increasingly under pressure to hold a vote on whether to bar the Israeli national team and its clubs from competing.
According to Anadolu Agency, recent calls for Israel's exclusion have multiplied, driven by appeals from United Nations experts, national football federations, and political leaders. They argue that Israel's actions in Gaza are incompatible with the values of international sport. Last week, UN experts urged the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and UEFA to suspend Israel's participation, citing a 'necessary response to address the ongoing genocide in the occupied Palestinian territory.'
Pressure is also coming from within the sport itself. Turkish Football Federation President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has written directly to FIFA, UEFA, and national federations worldwide, urging them to exclude Israel from all competitions. In Spain, protests disrupted a major cycling race featuring an Israeli team, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on sports bodies to consider whether Israel is using international tournaments to 'whitewash' its image.
Academics and sport historians are also contributing to the debate. Nathan Kalman-Lamb, an associate professor of sociology at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, stated, 'There is no place for a state committing the high crime of genocide in international sport.'
The issue is further complicated by geopolitical considerations. The United States has indicated it will oppose any move to block Israel from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which it is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico.
Rights groups and scholars argue that the case for suspension is clear. 'For nearly two years, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza,' said Kalman-Lamb, an author on sports and politics. Jules Boykoff, a former professional footballer and professor at Pacific University, Oregon, emphasized that the political climate has shifted, with several Western countries recognizing the Palestinian state.
UEFA is reportedly under pressure from several member associations to act, with British publication The Times suggesting a possible vote this week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be campaigning against such a vote. UEFA's potential decision could exclude Israel from competitions based on human rights considerations, similar to actions taken against Russia.
If UEFA's executive committee votes to suspend Israel, the national team would be barred from European qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup. Critics argue that a ban would be significant, drawing parallels to apartheid-era South Africa's exclusion from global sport.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Israel has powerful defenders, with the US openly opposing any effort to block Israel from international competition. A State Department spokesperson has stated, 'We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel's national soccer team from the World Cup.'
The ongoing debate highlights the tension between sports and politics, with potential consequences for Israel's participation in international competitions. UEFA and FIFA have not commented on potential actions against Israel.