With Portugal crowned Nations League champions, the focus in European international soccer now turns entirely toward the UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. These qualifiers will determine which nations secure their place in the tournament to be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
While Russia remains banned due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, a new controversy has emerged: a formal request to suspend Israel from participating in UEFA and FIFA competitions.
The debate reflects how politics and armed conflicts continue to influence global sports. The issue could shape not only the competitive balance of the qualifiers but also raise complex geopolitical tensions within soccer’s governing bodies.
Italian Coaches’ Association pushes for Israel’s suspension
The Italian Football Coaches Association (AIAC Nazionale) sent an open letter urging the Italian Federation to petition both UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel. The letter, titled “Israel must stop. Soccer must also mobilize,” directly appeals to Italian Federation President Gabriele Gravina to take action.
According to AIAC, the ongoing war in Gaza and the large number of civilian casualties—including athletes—justify a stronger response from international sports organizations. The association argues that the soccer community cannot remain silent in the face of what it describes as a “genocidal reprisal” by Israel following the Hamas terror attacks of October 2023.
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The challenge of politics and sport colliding
Despite the bold statement, achieving such a suspension will be extremely difficult. Israel is a close ally of the United States, one of the main hosts of the 2026 World Cup. That reality complicates any attempt to escalate the AIAC’s request to UEFA or FIFA, both of which often navigate political pressures when making disciplinary decisions.
Meanwhile, Italy and Israel are direct rivals in Group I of the UEFA World Cup qualifiers. After three matches, Israel sits ahead of Italy with six points, while the Azzurri have only three from two games. Group leader Norway looks dominant with 12 points from four matches. Italy’s scheduled match in Israel on September 8 could be decisive for both teams’ qualification hopes.
What comes next for UEFA and FIFA
For now, no formal action has been taken. The Italian Federation must decide whether to endorse AIAC’s proposal and file an official complaint against Israel. Any potential suspension would then require a ruling from UEFA and FIFA, setting a precedent for how wars and humanitarian crises affect international soccer participation.
As things stand, the controversy underscores how global soccer is not only about what happens on the pitch but also about the intersection of sport, politics, and human rights—issues that will continue to weigh heavily as the road to the 2026 World Cup unfolds.
