European football body UEFA is moving toward a vote to suspend its member federation Israel over the war in Gaza, people familiar with the proposal told The Associated Press on Thursday.
A majority of UEFA’s 20-member executive committee is expected to support any vote in favour of suspending Israeli teams from international play, two sources told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.
The move comes two weeks before the Israel men’s team is due to resume its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with away games against Norway and Italy.
It is unclear whether world football body FIFA will support excluding Israel given the close relations between FIFA’s leader, Gianni Infantino, and President Donald Trump. His administration’s support to secure the World Cup is seen as key to FIFA delivering a successful tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
FIFA’s ruling council is scheduled to meet in Zurich next week.
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Israel are third in their qualifying group behind Norway and Italy.
The country has one club remaining in European competition, Maccabi Tel Aviv, who are due to face Aston Villa in the Europa League on Nov. 6.
FIFA has faced long-standing calls from the Palestinian Football Association to suspend Israel, most recently at its Congress in Paraguay in May.
Information from PA was used in this report.
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