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FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani has said that Israel’s continued participation in international football is an issue that must be resolved by UEFA, not FIFA, as pressure mounts on the European governing body.
UEFA had been expected to hold an emergency vote this week on whether to suspend Israel from European competition over the war in Gaza. However, reports in British media suggest that the vote has been delayed following the unveiling of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the conflict in the region.
Israel currently sits third in Group I of the qualifying stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico. On Wednesday, Amnesty International sent a letter to both FIFA and UEFA urging the suspension of the Israel Football Association, citing human rights concerns tied to the ongoing conflict.
Montagliani, who is also president of CONCACAF, reiterated that the matter falls within UEFA’s jurisdiction. “First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason. They have to deal with that,” he told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference. “And I respect not only their process but whatever decision they make.”
The Canadian football executive confirmed that the issue of Israel’s participation will not be discussed at Thursday’s FIFA Council meeting in Zurich. That agenda will instead focus on broader global football matters, including a proposal from South America’s CONMEBOL to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams.
Meanwhile, Montagliani dismissed concerns about venue changes for the 2026 World Cup, despite Trump suggesting that matches could be moved from cities deemed unsafe. “If I have to react every time a politician makes a statement … I wouldn’t be doing my job,” he said, adding that FIFA remains committed to the 16 confirmed venues.
However, he acknowledged that kickoff times could be adjusted after lessons learned from the recent Club World Cup in the United States, where extreme heat and humidity affected some matches. “It’s always an issue in our region, because summers are hot … even in Canada,” he said.
The full schedule for the 2026 tournament will be revealed following the World Cup draw on December 5 in Washington D.C. FIFA is currently in discussions with global broadcasters to ensure scheduling accommodates both time zones and climate conditions.
For now, Israel’s future in European football remains unresolved, with UEFA under growing pressure from rights groups and international observers to act.
