Turkish Football Federation Urges FIFA, UEFA to Ban Israel Over Gaza Conflict

The Turkish Football Federation, led by President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, has formally urged FIFA, UEFA, and national football associations to ban Israel from international soccer competitions due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which he describes as "inhumane and unacceptable." This call aligns with a forthcoming UEFA vote on potentially suspending Israel, whose men's team is currently competing in World Cup qualifiers. Haciosmanoglu criticized the global football community for its silence and referenced a recent U.N. report accusing Israel of genocide, allegations Israel denies. Despite the calls for suspension, Israel continues to focus on upcoming matches, with UEFA maintaining their participation following Israel's shift from the Asian Football Confederation to UEFA membership. The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, is viewed as unlikely to support suspension efforts due to close ties with the U.S., a World Cup co-host and supporter of Israel. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has committed to opposing any attempts to ban Israel's team from the World Cup, underscoring the geopolitical complexity influencing sports governance decisions.