The United States, one of the three host countries of the 2026 World Cup, along with Mexico and Canada, will oppose the expulsion of Israel from the international tournament.
A U.S. State Department spokesman assured the BBC that the U.K. will work to “completely stop any attempt to ban the Israeli soccer team from the World Cup.”
UEFA to discuss possible suspension of Israel
Israel is currently third in its group, with the same points as Italy and six points behind Norway, which leads the group.
The U.S. statement comes hours after the British newspaper The Times reported that UEFA intends to meet next week to decide whether or not to suspend Israel from international competitions.
With “the majority of the executive committee members in favor of suspension”.
Israel is asked to be suspended from competitions
Just this week, eight UN experts, including the rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, called on FIFA and UEFA to suspend the Israeli national team from international competitions.
“In response to the ongoing genocide in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
Those in favor of suspending Israel take as an example what happened with Russia.”
“Which has been out of European competitions since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
UEFA criticized for its silence on Israel
In August, UEFA took a stand against the killing of civilians and children with a banner at the European Super Cup between Paris Saint Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, but without mentioning Israel.
When UEFA announced the death of footballer Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the Palestinian Pele, Mohamed Salah reproached them on social media for the lack of information about his death.
“Can you tell us how, where and why he died?” the Egyptian player wrote.
Al Obeid was killed by Israeli military forces while he was in Gaza waiting for humanitarian aid.
Sanctions must be imposed on the State
The UN experts clarified that the boycott “should be directed at the State of Israel and not at individual players.”
They cannot bear the consequences of their government’s decisions.
Therefore, there should be no discrimination or sanctions against athletes based on their origin or nationality.
“National teams representing states that commit massive human rights violations can and should be suspended, as has happened in the past,” they added.
With information from EFE
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