Turkey's Call for Action: The TFF Demands FIFA and UEFA to Suspend :

Istanbul, September 27, 2025 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has officially called on UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel from all international football competitions over its military operations in Gaza. This makes Turkey the first UEFA member nation to make such a public demand, amid growing international pressure on the football world to take action in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. In a formal letter sent on Friday, TFF President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu urged global football authorities to uphold the principles of justice and peace that sport claims to stand for. “Despite positioning themselves as defenders of civic values and peace, the sporting world and football institutions have remained silent for far too long,” said Hacıosmanoğlu, as reported by Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency. “Guided by these values, we feel compelled to raise our deep concern regarding the unlawful—and more importantly, completely inhumane and unacceptable—situation being carried out by the State of Israel in Gaza and its surrounding areas,” he added. UEFA to Consider Vote on Israel Ban Sources close to UEFA say that the organization is moving toward a vote on whether to suspend Israel from European football competitions. Israel, which has been a UEFA member since 1994 after its expulsion from the Asian Football Confederation, is currently participating in qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The 20-member UEFA executive committee is expected to hold internal discussions, with early indicators suggesting a majority may favor Israel’s exclusion if a formal vote is held. The move would mirror UEFA and FIFA’s suspension of Russia in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, a decision that has since set a precedent for political accountability in sports. Athletes Join the Call: "Suspend Israel Now" Also on Friday, a group of 48 international athletes signed an open letter demanding Israel’s immediate suspension from UEFA competitions. The letter, published by the group Athletes 4 Peace, was signed by prominent figures including France’s Paul Pogba and English cricketer Moeen Ali. “As professional athletes of diverse backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs, we believe sport must uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and humanity,” the statement read. “We call upon UEFA to immediately suspend Israel from all competitions until it complies with international law and ends its killing of civilians and widespread starvation.” The statement also referenced the death of Suleiman al-Obeid, widely known as the "Palestinian Pelé," who was reportedly killed in an Israeli attack while waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza. FIFA’s Role and US Opposition While UEFA has the authority to ban teams from European competitions such as the Champions League or Euro qualifiers, only FIFA can prevent a country from participating in World Cup qualifiers. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has maintained close ties with US political figures including former President Donald Trump, is seen as unlikely to support a full suspension of Israel. On Thursday, the U.S. State Department voiced its opposition to any move that would bar Israel from the World Cup. “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national football team,” a spokesperson said. Infantino is expected to chair a crucial meeting of FIFA’s ruling council in Zurich next Thursday, where this issue could be raised formally. A Divisive Moment in Sports and Politics Israel has only qualified for one men’s World Cup in history—in 1970—and remains a politically controversial member of UEFA. With pressure mounting from both national federations and global athletes, football’s top governing bodies now face a difficult decision that could shape the future of sports diplomacy. As the war in Gaza continues and civilian casualties mount, Turkey’s unprecedented call for Israel’s suspension adds a new and urgent dimension to the global debate over whether sport can remain apolitical in times of humanitarian crisis.

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