Spanish government officials have hinted they may pull their national team from the 2026 World Cup if Israel qualifies and competes in the tournament, foreign media reports said.
The suggestion stems from Spain’s call for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions as penalty for its genocide in Gaza.
Spain, a favorite to win the upcoming tournament, holds a strong position in qualifying. Despite this, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pushed for Israel’s exclusion, comparing the situation to the ban imposed on Russia by FIFA and UEFA after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Sanchez, speaking to his Socialist Workers’ Party, stated, “Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image.” His comments follow a UN commission report that concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe Israel has carried out four of the five acts of genocide defined under international law in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel’s subsequent military actions have resulted in a significant number of Palestinian deaths.
Patxi Lopez, a spokesperson for the Socialist Group in Spanish Congress, suggested the government could vote to boycott the World Cup if Israel competes. He echoed Sanchez’s sentiments, urging sports associations to “exclude” Israel.
When asked about a potential withdrawal, Lopez said they would “consider it later” and could make a formal request “at the appropriate time” if no action is taken.
Spanish government spokesperson and Minister of Sports, Pilar Alegria, also called for Israel’s exclusion, stating that “Sport is not, and cannot be, an island independent of what happens in the real world.”
Other European nations have also considered similar actions. A prominent Spanish broadcaster has threatened to boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates, a move that follows similar announcements from organizations in the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland.
Israel is currently third in its qualifying group for the World Cup, a position that keeps its hopes for a play-off spot alive.
FIFA and UEFA have not yet publicly responded to the Spanish officials’ comments.