UEFA Set to Hold Emergency Vote on Team Exclusion from 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Soccer is affected by politics, and the conflict in the Middle East could have significant impacts on the game. Reports indicate that UEFA is contemplating barring Israel from the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to the ongoing war in the region.

If this decision passes, it would mean a serious and indefinite disqualification for Israel. This would exclude the team not just from European competitions but also from the FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle of the sport.

ESPN reports that UEFA plans to hold an emergency vote on whether to suspend Israel from all its international competitions. If the suspension proceeds, it would automatically eliminate Israel’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The implications would not only affect the national team. Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel’s top club currently in the UEFA Europa League, might also be removed from competition if the suspension is enacted.

Previous attempts to push for suspension

This isn’t the first time there have been calls to exclude Israel from international competition. The Italian Football Coaches Association (AIAC Nazionale) recently sent an open letter asking the Italian Football Federation to support Israel’s suspension from UEFA and FIFA events.

Titled “Israel Must Stop. Football Must Act Too,” the letter urged FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and other national associations to stand with the Palestinian people and formally ask UEFA and FIFA for action.

Not the first exclusion from the World Cup

If Israel is ultimately unable to compete in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, it would not be the first national team to be excluded due to political reasons. Russia was banned from FIFA following its invasion of Ukraine, with all Russian teams barred from international play.

Other nations like Congo and Pakistan have also faced suspensions. Congo was banned for outside interference in its federation, while Pakistan was penalized for not updating its constitution to match FIFA’s democratic election standards.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments. His ability to report on real-time events has made him a valuable member of a top-tier journalistic team. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, covering a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.