FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that football “cannot solve geopolitical problems” as the organization faces mounting pressure to suspend Israel over its military actions in Gaza.
During a meeting of the FIFA Council, Infantino addressed the growing calls for action against Israel by emphasizing FIFA’s core mission of promoting peace and unity through sport.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” said Infantino in an official statement. “Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
The statement comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza, where Israeli strikes have drawn international criticism and sparked demands from several football federations and human rights organizations for Israel to be sanctioned, much like Russia was in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.
FIFA Faces Pressure Over Gaza Conflict
Infantino acknowledged the situation in Gaza, referring to the broader humanitarian crisis without directly commenting on the political context. He reiterated that while FIFA cannot directly intervene in global conflicts, the organization plays a key role in promoting the sport’s “unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian values.”
“FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world,” Infantino added.
Comparisons to FIFA’s Russia Ban
Critics have drawn parallels between the current calls for an Israel suspension from FIFA and the federation’s swift action in banning Russia in 2022. That move followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite Russia having hosted the World Cup just four years earlier.
So far, FIFA has not indicated any formal disciplinary measures against Israel, though the topic remains a point of growing international debate within the global football community.
