FIFA postpones consideration to suspend Israel

FIFA has postponed consideration of a Palestinian request to exclude Israel from international football competitions until after the Paris Olympics, saying both sides had asked for more time to present their arguments.

The Palestinian Football Association filed a request to exclude Israel last May due to the war in Gaza, while FIFA ordered a legal assessment of the situation and promised to consider the matter at an extraordinary meeting of its council in July.

FIFA said last night that the legal assessment will be presented to its council on August 31.

FIFA said on its X account: “Based on the request of both parties for more time to present their arguments, FIFA has agreed to grant more time until the procedures are completed.”

The Olympics will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, while the men's football group stage competitions will begin on the July 24.

Israel has qualified for the men's football competition at the Paris Olympics and will play in the group stage with Mali, Paraguay, and Japan.