FIFA quickly suspended the Russian Football Association following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In stark contrast, Palestine's footballers have endured a lack of support amidst devastating circumstances. Gaza's sports infrastructure is in ruins, and hundreds of players have lost their lives. The Palestinian national team faces the challenge of playing its "home" matches thousands of miles away, while FIFA continues qualifiers unaffected, maintaining Israel's membership.
The Palestinian Football Association reported significant losses amidst the recent escalation that began in October 2023, including the deaths of 231 registered players and 65 child footballers. Not only has the human cost been staggering, but the foundational aspects necessary for competitive football are utterly destroyed. The qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup concluded on June 10, 2025, with matches forced to take place in Kuwait, Jordan, and Qatar.
FIFA's president labeled the situation a “geopolitical issue,” suggesting that the organization should refrain from politically charged decisions about member states. However, this stance is inconsistent, as FIFA had previously made political judgments by excluding South Africa during apartheid and suspending Russia in 2022. The pressure for sanctions against Israel has gained momentum, with Turkey, Spain, and Italian football entities publicly advocating for a stance similar to that taken against Russia. Legal experts have pointed out that FIFA's regulations on human rights and equality call for intervention.
In February 2026, FIFA announced a partnership aimed at funding the reconstruction of sports facilities in Gaza, pledging at least $75 million for rebuilding efforts. Unfortunately, this announcement came after Palestine’s World Cup qualifying efforts had concluded, thus not providing any retroactive benefits to the players who faced insurmountable challenges.
The initiative has received criticism as a form of sportswashing. Critics argue that FIFA neglected to act meaningfully while it could have changed the competitive framework, only to announce a reconstruction fund after the impact was felt in Gaza and among Palestinian hopes for World Cup qualification.
FIFA's human rights policy from 2017 pledges to uphold internationally recognized norms. Legal experts assert that the loss of an entire national football infrastructure, alongside the tragic fatalities of numerous players, meets any valid threshold for required action. While Turkey and Spain have sought accountability, FIFA's announcement of a reconstruction fund came too late to yield results for the qualifiers.