Trump Administration Steps Up to Ensure Israel Competes in 2026 World Cup Following UN Request

The U.S. government is stepping in to support Israel’s place in the upcoming 2026 men’s World Cup as concerns grow over its eligibility. Recent discussions have emerged after the United Nations called for FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel from international competitions due to ongoing violence in Gaza.

A spokesperson from the State Department confirmed their commitment, stating, “We will absolutely work to stop any effort to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup.” Despite the ongoing conflict, Israel’s football teams have continued to compete. Currently, the Israeli national team is working through its World Cup qualifiers and is third in its group.

The UN’s recent statement has categorized the situation in Gaza as a potential “genocide,” a claim that Israel denies. Since the conflict escalated, many matches scheduled in Israel have been postponed. According to reports, over 60,000 Palestinians are estimated to have lost their lives due to military actions in Gaza, while around 1,100 people died during the attacks on Israel in October 2023.

UN human rights experts have voiced strong opinions about this issue. They argue that international sporting bodies must take a stand against human rights abuses. They emphasized that the blame should not fall on players but rather on the state responsible for such violations. This mirrors a previous suspension of Russia from international soccer after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Both FIFA and UEFA declined to comment on these developments when approached by The Athletic. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Football Association has repeatedly called for Israel’s suspension from FIFA competitions, citing ongoing human rights violations. The situation remains tense, with varying international responses, including recognition of Palestinian statehood by several countries.

Historically, sports have often reflected political climates. For instance, Israel was initially part of the Asian Football Confederation but was expelled in 1974 after many countries refused to play against it. Since then, Israel has been a member of UEFA, competing in Europe’s football events.

Should FIFA or UEFA decide to ban Israel, it would prevent its national teams from participating in key tournaments, including the World Cup and the European Championships. This decision would impact both men’s and women’s teams as well as club competitions.

The stakes are high with the World Cup draw on December 5. As the global community watches closely, the intersection of sports and politics continues to provoke deep feelings and discussions around justice and accountability in international relations.



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Champions League, European Championship, International Football, Men's World Cup, Premier League, Soccer, Women's Soccer