Donald Trump Intervenes to Prevent Israel’s Banning from the Next US-Hosted World Cup

The former U.S. president, Donald Trump, is stepping in to oppose moves by FIFA to exclude Israel from participating in the upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States next summer.

This week, the United Nations called on organizations to suspend Israeli sports teams amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, with a UN commission accusing Israel of committing genocide—an assertion Israel denies. In response, a spokesperson for Marco Rubio’s state department confirmed: “We will actively work to prevent any effort to ban Israel’s national team from the World Cup.”

Though FIFA has yet to issue a statement, the situation presents a challenging predicament for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has worked to maintain a positive relationship with Trump. Infantino recently expressed sympathy for civilians affected by conflicts worldwide, acknowledging the pain caused in Gaza and elsewhere. However, despite his empathetic words, Russia remains banned from international competitions over its war in Ukraine, and will not participate in the World Cup.

Israel is currently third in its qualifying group, tied with Italy, with two matches remaining—against Norway and Italy. The top team will qualify directly, while the second-place squad faces a playoff. Norwegian officials have announced they will donate profits from their upcoming match against Israel to Gaza’s humanitarian efforts. Several European nations are reportedly considering whether to advocate for banning Israel from the tournament.

Infantino’s possible silence on the issue might be a strategic choice if Israel fails to qualify, but recent political pressures, including statements from Rubio’s department, have reignited debate. Historically, there have been concerns over other nations, such as Iran, being barred from the World Cup due to political reasons, reflecting the complex intersection of sports and geopolitics.

Meanwhile, Trump remains an active presence at major sporting events, including attending the Ryder Cup near New York and previously attending the US Open finals, Super Bowl, and other high-profile competitions this year.