FIFA's Role Amid the Gaza Crisis: Calls for Action and Geopolitical Challenges

During a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on October 2, 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the organization's role amid global conflicts, particularly the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Infantino emphasized that while football cannot resolve geopolitical issues, it serves as a powerful platform to promote peace and unity. He highlighted FIFA's commitment to leveraging the sport's unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian values to bring people together in a divided world.

This statement comes in response to mounting pressure from various organizations and individuals urging FIFA to take a definitive stance on the Gaza conflict. Notably, Amnesty International has called on FIFA and UEFA to suspend the Israeli Football Association from their tournaments until it excludes clubs based in illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory from participating in Israel's football leagues.

Additionally, a group of 50 athletes from diverse disciplines, including football, boxing, and cricket, have signed a letter to UEFA demanding Israel's suspension from all international competitions. They argue that "sport cannot be neutral in the face of injustices" and emphasize the need for action in light of the situation in Gaza.

Despite these calls for action, FIFA has yet to make a definitive decision regarding Israel's participation in international football. The organization maintains that such issues require consensus among its confederations and must be handled cautiously. FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani clarified that decisions regarding Israel’s participation in European competitions fall under UEFA’s jurisdiction.

This situation underscores the complex intersection of sports and geopolitics, highlighting the challenges FIFA faces in balancing its mission to promote global unity through football with the political realities of international conflicts.