From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
FIFA vice president says Israel’s role in world soccer should be decided by UEFA
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Israel’s continued participation in international soccer has to be dealt with first and foremost by European governing body UEFA, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani says.
UEFA was expected to hold an emergency vote this week on whether to suspend Israel from European competition over the war in Gaza.
However, British media reported that the continental body has decided to hold off on a proposed vote following the announcement of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war.
Israel stands third in Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA today calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association. FIFA has repeatedly pushed off a vote on suspending Israel.
However, Montagliani, President of the North and Central America and Caribbean soccer federation CONCACAF, says it is down to UEFA to rule on Israel’s participation.
“First and foremost, it [Israel] is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason… They have to deal with that,” Montagliani tells reporters at a sports business conference. “And I respect not only their process but whatever decision they make.”
The Times of Israel Community.