While UEFA’s inaction on Israel’s participation in international soccer feels like a gut-wrenching betrayal, Italy’s decisive victory on the field has delivered a small but significant blow to Israel’s global sporting ambitions. In recent weeks, rumors swirled that UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, was finally considering banning Israel from international competitions. This came on the heels of a damning UN report (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8641wv0n4go) labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide against Palestinians. But here’s where it gets controversial: UEFA’s response was less a bold stand and more a timid whisper. Instead of taking decisive action, they merely considered the possibility, a stark contrast to their swift ban on Russian soccer following the Ukraine invasion.
And this is the part most people miss: UEFA’s proposed ban was so narrowly scoped it was practically meaningless. It would only apply to UEFA-specific tournaments like the Euros and Europa League, leaving the door wide open for Israel to compete in the 2026 World Cup—a decision likely influenced by the U.S. State Department’s vow to block any attempts to exclude Israel from the U.S.-hosted event (https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/13438108/usa-government-says-it-will-block-any-attempt-to-ban-israel-from-world-cup). FIFA, meanwhile, washed its hands of the matter entirely, leaving UEFA to fumble the ball. Despite the global outcry and calls for accountability, UEFA ultimately backed down, citing potential peace talks as a reason to delay any action. With last Friday’s ceasefire agreement, it seems any hope of sanctions has evaporated.
This is infuriating. While a ban from a few soccer tournaments might seem like a minor punishment for years of devastation, it’s not nothing. Sporting sanctions send a message: the world sees what’s happening, and aggressors can’t simply carry on as if nothing is wrong. Yes, it’s naive to expect moral leadership from UEFA and FIFA, two organizations notorious for corruption. But the accommodations made for Israel—rampant security measures, riot police, and the hosting of extremist fans (https://defector.com/the-media-cant-figure-out-why-some-racist-israeli-soccer-hooligans-were-beaten-up)—are a grotesque spectacle. It’s right to demand Israel’s exclusion from international sports, and it’s right to be outraged when governing bodies fail to act. UEFA’s cowardice, hiding behind the pretense that a temporary ceasefire erases years of violence, is nothing short of reprehensible.
Thankfully, where UEFA failed, Israel’s opponents stepped up. Italy’s 3-0 victory last Tuesday officially ended Israel’s 2026 World Cup dreams, a small but satisfying outcome for those demanding accountability. This international break was always going to be make-or-break for Israel, with away matches against Group I favorites Norway and Italy. Predictably, Israel lost both matches decisively.
The match in Oslo was a powerful display of solidarity. Thousands marched downtown in protest of Israel’s participation, while inside Ullevaal Stadium, Palestinian flags outnumbered Norwegian ones. Fans waved red cards as part of the “Show Israel the Red Card” campaign, and a banner reading “Let Children Live” hung prominently in the stands. Norway dominated the game, winning 5-0, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat trick.
The scene in Udine ahead of the Italy match was similar. Protestors outnumbered fans, as the stadium’s capacity was reduced to 16,000 for security reasons, and only 9,000 tickets were sold. Police used water cannons to disperse a small group of protestors attempting to breach barricades. Italy’s 3-0 win was never in doubt, sealing Israel’s fate.
While I can’t celebrate Haaland’s hat trick as some sort of symbolic victory—that would trivialize the real-life horrors in Gaza—I am relieved Israel won’t use the World Cup as a platform to whitewash its actions. This isn’t about schadenfreude; it’s about denying a genocidal regime the opportunity to normalize its behavior on a global stage.
But here’s the question I leave to you: Should sports ever be divorced from politics, or is it our duty to hold institutions accountable when they fail to act on matters of human rights? Let’s discuss in the comments—agree or disagree, I want to hear your thoughts.
