U.S. Vows to Fight Potential Israel Exclusion from 2026 World Cup
WASHINGTON D.C. - The United States government has stated its firm opposition to any effort to exclude Israel’s national football team from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The pledge comes amid calls for Israel’s suspension from international football competitions following a united Nations report alleging serious violations of international law during its military offensive in Gaza.
The suspension request stems from a UN report, as detailed by The Sporting News, which accuses Israel of committing grave breaches of international law in Gaza, citing a death toll exceeding 65,900 Palestinians according to local authorities. Israel vehemently rejects these accusations, characterizing them as ”false and distorted,” and maintains its actions are part of a war against Hamas – an association designated as terrorist by the European union, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and numerous other countries. Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians, according to Israeli sources.
A State Department spokesperson, speaking to The Athletic, declared, “We will work absolutely to entirely stop any attempt to try to exclude the National Soccer Team of Israel from the Cup.”
The potential for Israel’s exclusion has sparked significant debate, given the intersection of sports and international politics. The 2026 World Cup is slated to be a landmark event, expanding to 48 teams for the first time. the U.S. commitment to ensuring Israel’s participation signals a strong political stance on the issue and sets the stage for further discussion as the tournament approaches.
