Gaza War: US Vows To Block Any Move To Ban Israel From 2026 World Cup
The United States government has vowed to resist any attempt to bar Israel from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite mounting calls for sanctions over the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to the BBC, a spokesperson for the US State Department said Washington would “absolutely work to fully stop” any effort to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the tournament, which the US will co-host alongside Mexico and Canada.
The remarks come amid growing international pressure on Israel following a United Nations commission of inquiry report earlier this month, which accused the country of committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
The report urged global sporting bodies to sanction Israel for its actions.
Sources within UEFA have revealed that the European football governing body is considering suspending Israel from its competitions. Although geographically in Asia, Israel competes in UEFA tournaments and plays its World Cup qualifiers against European teams.
Israel has been waging war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip for many years, a conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 60,000 Palestinians while leaving millions displaced and facing starvation.
Efforts to secure a ceasefire have repeatedly collapsed, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes.
The calls for sanctions come as several countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, recently moved to formally recognise the State of Palestine, intensifying diplomatic pressure on Tel Aviv.
Despite this, Washington has stood firmly by Israel, dismissing efforts to use football sanctions as a form of punishment.
“We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup,” the US State Department spokesperson said.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
