FIFA proposes Israel vs Palestine U15 match as peace gesture in US tournament
FIFA plans to open its inaugural under-15 football festival in the United States (likely Miami) in September 2026 with a symbolic match between Israel and Palestine, following President Infantino’s failed handshake attempt at the April congress. The tournament is open to all 211 FIFA members, including Russia. The proposal aims to promote peace amid ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions, but the Palestinian FA has not confirmed participation, citing distress over the conflict.
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Palestinian Football Federation Rejects FIFA U-15 Match with Israel, Citing 'Sportswashing'
The Palestinian Football Federation (PFA) has categorically denied receiving any official invitation from FIFA to play a symbolic under-15 match against Israel, labeling the proposal a 'sportswashing initiative' in light of Israeli 'crimes.' The PFA recalled that more than 1,000 Palestinian football players have been killed by Israeli forces over the last three years. The controversy stems from FIFA President Gianni Infantino's April announcement at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver about a new U-15 tournament in the United States, to which all 211 national federations would be invited. During that event, PFA President Jibril Rajoub refused to be photographed or shake hands with his Israeli counterpart. FIFA stated it remains committed to using football for normalization and peace, but the PFA insists on accountability for Israel's violations of international sports standards. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 73,000 Palestinians killed by Israel since October 2023.
RecordFIFA Proposes Israel vs Palestine U15 Match as Opening Game of New Global Tournament
FIFA has proposed that the inaugural U15 Football Festival's opening match feature Israel against Palestine, as part of a peace initiative by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The tournament is scheduled for September 2024 in the United States, with all 211 FIFA member associations eligible, including Russia. This follows Infantino's failed attempt to arrange a handshake between representatives of the two football associations at the FIFA Annual Congress in April, where Palestinian FA President Jibril Rajoub declined, stating 'We are too distressed.' The proposal comes amid ongoing tensions, with the New York Times noting that despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Israel remains committed to expanding control over Palestinian territories. A FIFA spokesperson expressed willingness to use football as a tool for peace, but it remains unclear if both sides will participate. The tournament features shortened matches and 7-9 player teams.
虎扑 - 足球FIFA Proposes Palestine-Israel Match for Under-15 Festival Opening
FIFA has proposed a symbolically charged opening match between Palestine and Israel for its under-15 world festival, scheduled for September in the United States. The proposal follows a failed attempt to arrange a handshake and joint photo between representatives of the two football federations, whose countries have been at war since the October 7, 2023 attack. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated the tournament invites all 211 countries to participate, representing children worldwide. Notably, Russia is also invited despite being banned from all FIFA competitions since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The article highlights the political nature of football, emphasizing the symbolic weight of the proposed matchup amid ongoing conflict.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuFIFA proposes Israel vs. Palestine match as opener for inaugural U-15 youth football festival
FIFA is proposing that the opening match of its new under-15 youth football festival, set for September 2026 in the United States, be played between Israel and Palestine. This follows FIFA president Gianni Infantino's failed attempt at the April congress in Vancouver to get representatives from both football associations to shake hands on stage. Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association, refused the gesture, stating 'We are suffering.' The IFA expressed willingness to use football for peace, while the PFA did not comment. The tournament is open to all 211 FIFA member associations, including Russia. The proposal comes amid ongoing Israeli expansion in Palestinian territories despite a ceasefire with Hamas.
Soccer - The AthleticFIFA proposes Israel vs Palestine match as opener for under-15s youth football festival
FIFA is proposing that the opening match of its inaugural under-15s football festival, scheduled for September 2026 in the United States, be played between Israel and Palestine. This follows FIFA president Gianni Infantino's failed attempt in April to get the heads of the Israel and Palestine football associations to shake hands at the organization's annual congress. The tournament is open to all 211 member associations, including Russia. The Israel Football Association expressed willingness to use football to promote peace, while the Palestinian Football Association did not respond to a request for comment. The proposal comes amid ongoing tensions, with Israel having committed to expanding control of Palestinian territories despite a ceasefire with Hamas.
Soccer - The AthleticFifa plans symbolic Israel v Palestine fixture as opening game of new under-15s tournament
Fifa is planning to schedule a symbolic match between Israel and Palestine as the opening game of a new under-15s tournament in the United States in September. The competition, though not an official Under-15 World Cup, will be open to all 211 Fifa members, including Russia, who remain banned at senior level. Fifa president Gianni Infantino is determined to use football as a vehicle to promote peace and global unity, despite an embarrassing incident in April when Palestinian FA president Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Israeli FA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman at the Fifa Congress in Vancouver. The venue for the tournament has not been confirmed but Miami is regarded as the most likely. The first tournament will be a boys' competition, with a girls' edition 12 months later, before Fifa moves to organize two separate festivals each year from 2028. Fifa sources rejected suggestions that meddling in Israeli-Palestinian politics was dangerous given the Vancouver incident.
Football | The GuardianFIFA plans Israel vs Palestine fixture as opening game of new under-15s tournament
FIFA is planning to schedule a symbolic match between Israel and Palestine as the opening game of a new under-15s tournament in the United States in September 2026. The tournament, though not an official under-15 World Cup, will be open to all 211 FIFA members, including Russia, whose senior national team remains banned. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is driving the initiative to use football as a vehicle for peace and global unity, despite a recent embarrassment in April 2026 when Palestinian FA President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Israeli FA Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. The venue is likely to be Miami, where FIFA has extensive offices. The first edition will be a boys' competition, with a girls' edition to follow in 2027, and two separate festivals annually from 2028. FIFA sources rejected suggestions that meddling in Israeli-Palestinian politics is dangerous, and Infantino has publicly called for working together to give hope to children through the tournament.
Football | The Guardian