2026 World Cup Faces Tense Moment As Donald Trump Pushes Against FIFA Banning US Ally
- There is tension surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of a possible football ban for a European country
- North American countries, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will host the world tournament next year
- European football governing body UEFA is close to banning a country because of the ongoing war in its region
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There is political tension rising around the 2026 FIFA World Cup over UEFA’s plans to ban Israel over its involvement in the war in the Middle East.
The United States of America, Canada, and Mexico will host the World Cup next year, with the USA being the major host after the success of the Club World Cup.
Source: Getty Images
FIFA is hoping to build on the hugely successful tournament held in the Middle East in Qatar in 2022, which Lionel Messi’s Argentina won.
As it was in the case of Qatar 2022, which received criticism from the media over alleged cases of human rights abuse, FIFA has received 145 petitions for similar issues in the US.
There were calls for FIFA to change the venue, but that will not happen because of the long commitment to ensuring that the tournament is successful.
UEFA ponders banning Israel
European football governing body UEFA is going through the motions to suspend Israel from football over its involvement in the war in Palestine after receiving a letter from the United Nations.
According to ESPN, UEFA’s 20-member executive committee will vote to decide whether to proceed, with most of them reportedly in favour of a ban.
Israel has been at war against Palestine, with a series of bombings carried out in Gaza and other cities, which led to calls to suspend them from football.
UEFA and FIFA set this precedent when they suspended Russia in 2022 for invading Ukraine, a sanction that affected Russian assets around the world and led to the sale of Chelsea.
Trump kicks against banning Israel
UEFA will kick Israel out of the European qualifying series for the 2026 World Cup if its executive members vote in support of the ban, and also eject Maccabi Tel Aviv from the Europa League.
Source: Getty Images
Israel is in Group I alongside Norway, Italy, Moldova, and Estonia, and has nine points from five matches, and is due to face Italy and Norway in October.
According to New York Times, if kicked out of the qualifiers, there is no way Israel will qualify for the World Cup, and Donald Trump’s administration has spoken out against such a ban.
UEFA’s move puts FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a difficult spot because of his relationship with US President Donald Trump, with the tournament less than a year away.
FIFA considers expanding 2030 World Cup
Legit.ng reported that FIFA is considering expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams after receiving a formal proposal from the South American confederation.
FIFA will be open to having a one-off 64-nation tournament for the centenary celebration, even though it is still bracing up for its first 48-nation tournament next year.
Source: Legit.ng
