Press reports indicate that US President Donald Trump will intervene to prevent Israel from being banned from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The United Nations this week urged organizations to suspend the participation of Israeli sports teams due to the war in Gaza, after a UN committee concluded that Israel is committing genocide in the region.
A US State Department spokesperson said, "We will certainly work to stop any effort to prevent the Israeli national soccer team from participating in the World Cup."
UEFA is considering excluding Israeli teams, following growing calls for disqualification.
FIFA has not yet responded to the UN's calls, but the proposal puts its president, Gianni Infantino, in a difficult position after working hard to build a close relationship with Trump.
In a speech in New York this week, Infantino said it was difficult to impose sanctions on countries involved in conflicts, but added: "I suffer when I see children suffering, I cry when I see mothers crying, whether in Gaza or anywhere in the world."
But despite Infantino's statements about winter and summer being under one roof, Russia remains banned from international competition due to its war with Ukraine and will not participate in the World Cup finals, which begin next June.
The Israeli team has a chance to qualify for the tournament, most of whose matches will be held in the United States.
Israel has two more qualifying matches left, the first in just over two weeks, on October 11, against Norway, and the second against Italy three days later.
Israel is ranked third in its group with 9 points, tied with second-place Italy.
The group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, while the second-place team plays a play-off.
