FIFA Stripped Nation of Hosting World Cup After Israel Protest
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) previously stripped a nation of the hosting rights for a tournament after a protest against Israel.
World football’s governing body, FIFA, made the decision back in 2023 after the official draw for the Under-20 World Cup was cancelled after the governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, refused to host the Israeli team.
The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) announced that FIFA were essentially forced to cancel the draw due to Koster's refusal.
Indonesia does not have any formal ties with Israel, although some of its population took part in pro-Palestine protests in 2023 amid the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel.
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FIFA then handed the hosting rights to Argentina for the tournament, which was eventually won by Uruguay, while Israel finished third.
Indonesia was stripped of the Under-20 tournament back in March of 2023 and the conflict between Israel and Palestine has worsened since Hamas attacked Israel in October of that year, killing an estimated 1200 people as well as taking 250 hostages.
Following the October attack, Israel has repeatedly attacked areas of Palestine with a focus on Gaza City.
As of September 4, 2025, 64,000 Palestinians had been killed in the nearly two-year war.
As a result of the conflict, there have been calls for Israel to be banned from both UEFA and FIFA competitions ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Russia remain banned from both FIFA and UEFA-sanctioned competitions following their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In August, the Italian Football Coaches Association (AIAC) penned an open letter calling for Israel’s suspension from international football.
What has UEFA said about banning Israel?
Earlier in August, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was pressed on the topic during an interview with Slovenian TV station Odmevi.
Čeferin said: “For now, this is our decision [allowing Israel to compete]. It is very difficult for me to comment on what could happen in the future.
"I think the time has come when we have to stop pretending that we are a sports organisation that lives on another planet.”
However, the nation remains active in both UEFA and FIFA competitions and could compete at next summer’s World Cup if they progress from Group I of UEFA World Cup qualifiers.
Israel, who are currently playing their home matches in Hungary, are accompanied by Italy, Norway, Estonia and Moldova in the qualification phase.
What has FIFA said about banning Israel?
In October 2023, FIFA president Gianni Infantino penned a letter to both the Israel and Palestine Football Associations offering his condolences over the “horrendous violence” taking place in the region.
"The footballing world stands firmly in solidarity with the people of Israel and Palestine, and with all the innocent victims that have paid an unspeakable price,” read part of the letter.
Then, in May 2024, the Palestinian federation (PFA) called for a vote to exclude Israel at FIFA's congress in Bangkok. Infantino then explained how it was a matter for the FIFA Council – the body’s advisory board.
In October of 2024, FIFA then postponed the decision according to Al Jazeera.
Topics: FIFA, UEFA, Football, Gianni Infantino
Luke Davies