Spanish government officials have suggested they could pull their national team out of the 2026 World Cup if Israel qualifies and is allowed to compete.
The World Cup, hosted next summer by Canada, Mexico and the United States, will be the first tournament held across three different countries. European champions Spain are early favourites to win and have made a strong start in qualifying, winning their first two matches.
However, tensions have risen following calls by Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions due to its actions in Gaza. Sanchez, speaking to his Socialist Workers’ Party, said Israel should face similar sanctions to those imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
Israel currently sits third in their World Cup qualifying group, six points behind leaders Norway and level on points with second-placed Italy, with three matches left to play. Only the group winner qualifies automatically, with second place potentially earning a play-off spot.
A United Nations commission of inquiry recently reported reasonable grounds to conclude that Israel has committed several genocidal acts in Gaza. This follows Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023 and the ensuing conflict, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Israel’s Foreign Ministry has rejected the UN report as “distorted and false,” with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemning Sanchez’s remarks as “a disgrace.”
Patxi Lopez, spokesperson for the Socialist Group in the Spanish Congress, has indicated that Spain might vote to boycott the World Cup if Israel competes. Similar threats of boycott have been made by broadcasters in the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland regarding the Eurovision Song Contest, should Israel take part.
Lopez urged sports associations to exclude Israel from competitions as was done with Russia, saying Spain would “consider” withdrawing from the World Cup “at the appropriate time” if no action is taken.
Spain’s Minister of Sports, Pilar Alegria, also called for Israel’s exclusion, stressing that sport cannot be separated from human rights issues.
FIFA and UEFA have not yet responded publicly to these calls.
