Israel withdraws support for FIFA President Infantino
Israel has formally withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election, adding to the pressure on the embattled football chief. The Israel Football Association (IFA) sent a letter to FIFA informing the governing body of its decision, according to the Jerusalem Post and GiveMeSport.
In the letter, IFA Chairman Shino Moshe Zuares said the withdrawal was prompted by recent developments that have caused "an unprecedented crisis of trust" between the vision of UEFA and other confederations and that of FIFA regarding the management of world soccer. Zuares, who sits on UEFA's executive committee, wrote that the division "appears deep, substantive and fundamental, and is forcing all stakeholders to reconsider the way forward."
"Under the circumstances that have arisen, we have no choice but to withdraw our previous letter of support, in the sincere hope that productive dialogue between all parties will ultimately restore a shared and appropriate vision and direction for world soccer," Zuares wrote, as quoted by both outlets.
The decision was made unanimously after a meeting of the IFA's board, according to GiveMeSport. Israel has been a member of UEFA since 1994.
Context: World Cup privatization and the road to 2027
The withdrawal comes amid fallout from Infantino's controversial proposal to privatize the World Cup, an initiative that failed to move forward. The proposal was quickly rejected by the footballing world, according to GiveMeSport, and has contributed to a growing erosion of support for Infantino as he heads into another FIFA presidential election.
The election is expected to take place in March 2027, roughly a year after Israel's decision. The Jerusalem Post noted that Israel's move comes as Infantino faces growing tensions over the direction of the sport and the relationship between FIFA and the continental confederations.
A contentious handshake at the 76th FIFA Congress
The dispute has also been marked by a notable incident at the 76th FIFA Congress in May 2026, when Infantino attempted to orchestrate a handshake between Palestinian and Israeli delegates. According to GiveMeSport, Jibril Rajoub refused to stand alongside Basim Sheikh Suliman, and Palestinian FA Vice President Susan Shalabi criticized the attempt.
"To be put in a position where to have a handshake after everything that was said, this negates the whole purpose of the speech that the general was giving," Shalabi said.
Palestine's FA also released a statement in August critical of FIFA, saying: "Our concern is not who leads FIFA. Our concern is whether FIFA is once again prepared to lead by principle."