Donald Trump steps in to block Israel being banned from 2026 World Cup

The Donald Trump administration will intervene if FIFA attempt to ban Israel from international football ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The news comes as UEFA moves towards a vote to suspend the Israel federation over the ongoing war in Gaza. It's understood that the majority of executive members and federations would be in favour of such a move, which would see Israeli teams banned from European football.

The United Nations urged organizations to suspend Israeli sport teams over the war in Gaza this week after a UN commission concluded that Israel is committing genocide in the region, an accusation that Israel have refused.

But the US government, via a statement from Marco Rubio's state department, have confirmed that they would attempt to prevent such a move being undertaken.

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A state department spokesperson told Sky News: "We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel's national soccer team from the World Cup."

UEFA's stance comes just two weeks before the Israel football team resume their World Cup qualifying campaign. They face away fixtures against Norway and Italy. They are currently third in Group I, level on nine points with Italy, who have played one game less.

FIFA has yet to respond to the UN's calls and it remains unclear whether they would support excluding Israel. FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino, has a close relationship with President Trump, putting the former in a difficult position.

Infantino argued it is difficult to sanction countries involved in conflict during a recent speech in New York but added: "I suffer when I see children suffer. I cry when I see mothers crying, whether it's in Gaza... anywhere in the world."

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