FIFA hopes for Israeli-Palestinian match at international youth tournament
The competition is understood to have been scheduled for this Autumn in Miami
FIFA is understood to be continuing attempts to schedule a game between Israelis and Palestinians as part of its plans for a new international under-15s tournament, which will be taking place in the USA this Autumn.
The efforts from the international footballing body have come despite embarrassment at FIFA’s annual conference held earlier this year in Vancouver, where despite an understood agreement for representatives of the Israeli and Palestinian FAs to shake hands on stage, the Palestinian FA chair, Djibril Rajoub, publicly refused to do so, despite the repeated urging of FIFA’s President, Gianni Infantino.
Rajoub, a senior member of Fatah who spent years in Israeli jails for terrorist activities, refused to shake the hand of the vice chair of Israel’s FA, Israeli-Arab Basim Sheikh Suliman, with Palestinian representatives later accusing Suliman of having been brought “to whitewash fascism and genocide”. Rajoub was reportedly denied access into the US to attend the world cup, though the United States authorities have not given an official reason.
Despite the public rebuff, Infantino told the crowd at the get-together that “We have a beautiful under‑15 tournament coming up, where we will invite all 211 countries to participate, all the children of the world, let’s do it for that. Let’s work together. You have my commitment, you have the support of the whole room.”
It is thought that the youth tournament is likely to place in Miami, given FIFA’s main US operational base is located in the Florida city.
As reported by i24, a spokesperson for the Israel Football Association said, “Chairman Moshe Zuares will stick to what he has publicly stated several times at the FIFA Congress and elsewhere—we are more ready than ever to use football as a tool to promote normalization and peace.”
“Our hand is always extended toward a better future for everyone. We hope to find a courageous partner on the other side.”
Fifa announced late last year that the matches for the youth tournament would be shorter than 90 minutes, be held on smaller pitches, and would be played with fewer than 11 players.
Among the countries invited to participate is Russia, which has been suspended from official international footballing competitions since its invasion of Ukraine.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
