Israel may face obstacles in qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as a Canadian human rights group has joined the call to suspend Israeli soccer teams from international competition due to the conflict in Gaza. Just Peace Advocates, a Palestinian-solidarity organization based in Toronto, urged Canada Soccer to demand the suspension of the Israeli Football Association and consider not hosting the World Cup if Israel remains a participant. The letter, signed by 270 academics, legal experts, journalists, and advocates, highlighted alleged violations of international law by the Israel Football Association.
Vancouver and Toronto are set to be co-host cities for the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. According to Rebecca Steckle, a research and policy analyst with Just Peace Advocates, both Canada Soccer’s bylaws and FIFA’s human rights policy oblige them to suspend or expel Israel from playing due to evidence of violations.
The push to suspend Israel from international sports comes amid growing criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, similar to the isolation Russia faced after its invasion of Ukraine. UEFA is reportedly moving towards a vote to suspend Israel, and the United Nations experts have also called for FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel from international play due to alleged ongoing atrocities in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Efforts to penalize Israel have extended beyond soccer, with disruptions in cycling races, booing of the Israeli national anthem at basketball games, and threats of boycotts at cultural events like the Eurovision Song Contest. In response, demonstrations have taken place, including protests against Team Israel’s participation in the Davis Cup tennis match against Team Canada.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, triggered by a militant incursion in southern Israel in 2023, has resulted in significant casualties, further fueling the debate over Israel’s participation in international sports events.