European Nation Warns of 2026 World Cup Boycott Over Israel’s Inclusion
- A one-time World Cup-winning team has threatened to pull out of the Mundial coming up in 2026
- The European team is taking action if Israel qualifies for the competition scheduled in the USA, Canada, and Mexico
- A United Nations inquiry has pointed out that the Asian country was involved in four out of five genocidal acts in Gaza
Spanish government officials have hinted they may withdraw the national team from the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament, world football’s biggest, returns next summer in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the first time it will be hosted across three nations.
Reigning European champions Spain are early favourites with the bookmakers and are on track to qualify, having opened their campaign with back-to-back wins.
Source: Getty Images
SportBible now suggests Luis de la Fuente’s side could boycott the World Cup if Israel qualifies.
Israel sits third in their group but remains in contention for at least a play-off place.
They trail leaders Norway by six points and are level with second-placed Italy, with three games left to play.
Only group winners qualify automatically, while runners-up may earn a play-off depending on results elsewhere.
Why Spain wants to withdraw from 2026 World Cup
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged for Israel to be barred from international sporting events over its actions in Gaza.
He argued that Israel should face the same treatment as Russia, which was banned by FIFA and UEFA in 2022 after it invaded Ukraine.
"Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image," Sanchez told representatives of his Socialist Workers' Party.
Patxi López, spokesperson for the Socialist Group in the Spanish Congress, has hinted that Spain could boycott the 2026 World Cup if Israel qualifies and is allowed to take part.
His remarks follow Spanish broadcaster RTVE’s threat to pull out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel competes. This is a stance already taken by broadcasters in the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland.
Echoing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, López urged sporting bodies to “exclude” Israel from competitions.
Pressed on whether Spain would withdraw from the World Cup, he replied that it would be considered “at the appropriate time” if no action is taken.
Sports Minister Pilar Alegría also backed exclusion, insisting sport cannot stand apart from the real world when “human rights are being destroyed.” FIFA and UEFA have yet to respond.
According to Gazeta Express, the government spokeswoman explained that sport is meant to be a unifying tool in mending fences, but the actions of Israel should not be tolerated.
She notified FIFA to exclude Israel due to the worsening situation in Gaza.
She wrote: "Sport is not and cannot be an island independent of what happens in the real world, especially when the real world shows us that human rights are being destroyed."
While Spain threatens a boycott of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has confirmed that Russia remains barred from the tournament.
The European country has been suspended by both FIFA and UEFA since February 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine and has not yet been reinstated to competitive football.
Source: Getty Images
What did Israel do?
A United Nations (UN) commission of inquiry said that there are reasonable grounds to believe Israel has committed four out of the five acts that constitute genocide under international law in Gaza.
According to the BBC, the ongoing conflict began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage.
Israel's military offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 64,964 Palestinians.
FIFA could ban India from international football
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that FIFA could soon hand out another major punishment in international football, with India facing a ban following the governing body’s stance on Russia.
While the European country remains barred from official tournaments, they are still permitted to play international friendly matches.
Source: YEN.com.gh
