FIFA Refuses to Ban Israel Amid Controversy Over Gaza Genocide in World Cup Qualifiers
FIFA has decided not to ban Israel from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers despite concerns over human rights abuses in the Gaza Strip, fueling public protests and demands for the governing body to take action. Israel will resume its campaign this weekend amid growing pressure on FIFA to address the situation.
FIFA has decided not to ban Israel despite its involvement in the Gaza genocide, sparking widespread criticism from fans, players, and human rights groups ahead of Israel's World Cup 2026 qualifiers this weekend. The decision is seen as a major blow to the movement to boycott the tournament, with many calling for football's governing body to take a stronger stance on human rights issues. Fans and supporters have organized protests in various cities around the world to voice their discontent over FIFA's leniency towards Israel, while some players, including several high-profile internationals, have announced plans to protest by not attending qualifying matches. The decision is likely to fuel further debate within the football community about the role of sport in addressing human rights issues.
