UEFA could vote to suspend Israel from international soccer amid Gaza war

The UEFA executive committee is moving toward a vote to suspend Israel from international competition over the Gaza war, The Associated Press reports. A majority of the 20-member committee is expected to back any move that would bar Israeli clubs and the national team from participation in international play, a development that could affect Israel’s participation in next year’s World Cup qualifiers and other UEFA competitions. The potential measure would apply to both the Israeli national team and club teams, effectively removing them from FIFA and UEFA-sanctioned events pending further action.

The Israeli national team is currently preparing to resume its World Cup qualifying campaign in two weeks, with away games scheduled against Norway and Italy. A suspension would block the team from those fixtures and from future international matches under UEFA’s umbrella, according to people familiar with the discussions cited by AP. The report notes that the move would hinge on a formal vote by UEFA’s executive committee, and that a simple majority would be sufficient to approve sanctions, pending any legal or procedural challenges.

An Israel Football Federation spokesperson told Fox News Digital that there is "no indication" such a vote is imminent and that the federation is focusing on its international matches against Norway and Italy. The spokesperson said the situation is "very challenging" but added that the federation would address developments as they unfold. Israel’s current World Cup qualification schedule is not altered by official action until a formal decision is made, but the threat of suspension has already heightened discussions among national teams and federations across the region.

Separately, the U.S. State Department said it would work to stop any efforts that might ban Israel from the World Cup, reflecting the sensitive cross-border implications of such a move. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sports and culture minister Miki Zohar, and Moshe Zuares, the head of the Israel Football Association, have been described as working "intensively behind the scenes" to block attempts to oust Israel from UEFA, according to Zohar’s office. The statement from Zohar’s office emphasized a need to act responsibly through professional channels and avoid premature statements as negotiations proceed.

The debate over Israel’s status in international football has a long and complicated history. Last year, the Palestinian Football Association proposed suspending Israel from international competition amid the Gaza conflict, circulating a proposal to FIFA member federations seeking sanctions and immediate action against Israeli teams. While FIFA opened discussions and sought independent legal counsel, it ultimately did not suspend Israel; instead, FIFA launched an independent investigation into alleged discrimination. This week, seven independent experts working with the U.N. Human Rights Council urged FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel from international competitions, adding pressure to a period already marked by high political tensions surrounding sport in the region.

The actions and counteractions have been punctuated by high-profile gestures and incidents on the field. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and the organization signaled a tougher stance on Israel last month after banners with critical messages appeared at a Super Cup match in Udine, Italy, in front of teams from Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham. The incident underscored how political expressions and conflicts surrounding the region have permeated European football, complicating the actions of governing bodies that seek to balance sport with diplomacy.

As the potential vote looms, multiple stakeholders — including FIFA, national federations, player associations, and national governments — are weighing in, each arguing for different paths forward. Supporters of sanctions argue that sporting bodies must respond to humanitarian and rights concerns, while opponents warn of unintended consequences for players, fans, and cross-border sports exchanges. The outcome remains unresolved, with formal proceedings and potential legal challenges likely to follow any decision.

The AP contributed to this report, with additional reporting from Fox News Digital. The ongoing developments come as European football faces a broader reckoning over how to respond to international conflicts and human rights concerns without compromising the integrity of competitions or the welfare of players on the field.