The United States has stepped in to block growing calls for Israel to be banned from international football competitions amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

United Nations experts this week urged FIFA and UEFA to suspend all Israeli teams, citing violations of international law and the worsening humanitarian crisis. Israel’s men’s side is currently attempting to qualify for next year’s World Cup, which will largely be staged in the United States.

A spokesperson for the US state department told Sky News, “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup.” The intervention follows reports that FIFA has yet to respond to the UN’s letter of concern.

The debate comes against the backdrop of Russia’s exclusion from FIFA and UEFA competitions in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. That decision was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport despite objections from Moscow. Critics now argue that if Russia was swiftly punished for breaching international law, the same principle should apply to Israel.

Supporters of Israel’s right to compete say the situations are different, while campaigners for a ban accuse FIFA of double standards and bowing to US political pressure.

For now, Israel’s qualification campaign continues, but the controversy is expected to dominate the conversation as the tournament approaches. The row has raised further questions about how politics and sport intersect on the global stage and whether governing bodies can truly remain neutral.

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