FIFA suggests Israel vs Palestine match to open youth football festival
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 11:30 PM
Last updated Jun 15, 2026
FIFA is proposing that Israel face Palestine in the opening match of its inaugural under-15 football festival in the United States, set for September. This follows an attempt at a handshake between the representatives of the two nations during a recent FIFA congress. The proposed fixture has heightened political sensitivity due to the longstanding conflict affecting both countries. Observers note that while the match is framed as a youth event, its implications extend far beyond football. FIFA aims to send a message of coexistence, though acceptance of this framing by both parties remains uncertain.
- •Event scheduled for September in the United States.
- •Proposal comes after failed handshake at FIFA congress.
- •Political sensitivities surrounding Israel and Palestine emphasized.
- •FIFA aims to frame the match as a youth-football moment.
- •Acceptance of the framing by both sides is in question.
- 11:30 PMYahoo Sports — FIFA proposing Israel vs Palestine to kick off new football tournament in the US
"The tension between Israel and Palestine seems to have no limits and affects both countries in many ways. This was visible at a recent FIFA congress, when Gianni Infantino’s attempt to bring Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub and Israel FA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman together for a handshake failed on stage.
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