Decision is delayed
Does the UEFA Israel exclude from all competitions?
01.10.2025 – 5:09 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The Middle East conflict also influences the sports world. The European umbrella organization still wants to wait with its vote – for a special reason.
The debate about Israel’s exclusion from the UEFA competitions remains up to date – but a decision is initially postponed. According to FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani, the European Continental Association initially wanted to give space to the diplomatic efforts of the United States before deciding on consequences for the Israeli Football Association.
As “The Athletic” reports, Montagliani said on Wednesday at the Leaders sports business conference in London: “The UEFA said that it will expose the vote and wait for the peace plan.” At the same time, the 60-year-old Canadian emphasized that this was an internal matter of UEFA: “Israel is her member, you have to deal with it, and I not only respect your process, but also every decision.”
According to Montagliani, the future of Israel will not be discussed at the session of the FIFA Council. Previously, the “Times” had reported that the UEFA was targeting a decision in the first week of October. A “large majority” of the executive committee, which, among other things, also belongs to DFB Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke, should therefore be a suspension of Israel.
The discussion had recently tightened increasing international pressure. A group of UN experts, deployed by the UN Human Rights Council, asked FIFA and UEFA to examine measures against Israel. The background is a report of an independent UN Commission that accuses Israel of being responsible for genocide in Gaza. However, the experts emphasize not to speak in the name of the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the US government has clearly spoken out against a possible exclusion of Israel. A spokesman for the U.S. State Department told Sky News: “We will be able to fully prevent all attempts to exclude the Israeli national soccer team from the World Cup.” According to media reports, US President Donald Trump maintains close contacts to FIFA President Gianni Infantino-also in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.
In the ongoing qualification for the tournament, which is to take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Israel’s national team in Group I is currently taking third place with nine points from five games. The group winner qualifies directly, the second reaches the play-offs. During the upcoming international break, games are scheduled for the Israeli team in Norway (October 11) and against Italy (October 14).