The Palestinian-Israeli conflict took center stage at the 76th FIFA conference in Vancouver
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The president of the Palestinian Football Federation has reiterated his calls for Israel to be recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association during the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
Jibril Rajoub made the request after refusing to shake hands with the vice president of the Israel Football Association, Basim Sheikh Suliman on stage in front of hundreds of international football representatives at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
“Can I shake the hand of someone who represents a apartheid government, which is racist and even protects the bullies of this government? I don’t think I should do that,” said Rajoub at the end of the conference.
“Go to the principles. I think and believe that the guy who spoke for Israel is not fit to be a [FIFA] partner facing the audience,” he said.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was caught in an awkward moment trying to shake hands after both men spoke at a conference. Rajoub was seen reprimanding Infantino.
Afterwards, Infantino tried to downplay the moment.
“These are very complex issues, as we know,” he said. “We work together for the children of the world”
The FIFA Congress brings together the 211 member organizations of soccer’s governing body around the world. The event is seen as a lead-up to this summer’s 2026 men’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, including seven matches in Vancouver.
The incident between the Palestinian and Israeli delegations was the most notable incident of tension at the extraordinary meeting.
All 211 FIFA members were identified on the list, with only Iran marked as “absent” after Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj and his delegation were turned away from Toronto’s Pearson Airport on Tuesday, despite having valid visas for the conference.
Taj was a former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the country’s military and security force, which Canada designated as a terrorist organization in 2024.
Iran is one of 48 teams competing in this summer’s World Cup and is scheduled to play group stage games in Inglewood, Calif., and Seattle, even though the US and Iran are currently at war.
Infantino reiterated his confidence that Iran’s participation is not at risk.
“Yes, Iran will be participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026. And Iran will play in the United States of America,” he said.
The conference was opened by Victor Montagliani, a native of East Vancouver, who is a powerful businessman in international football as he is the vice president of FIFA and the regional president of CONCACAF, which represents the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football.
Montagliani was president of BC Soccer and then Soccer Canada before moving into international positions.
He came out and said that he is responsible for bringing together the countries that will be participating in the 2026 World Cup, which is the first time that this tournament has been played in three countries.
The expansion will see an expanded tournament with 48 teams, up from 32 years ago, and a 104-game schedule, up from 64.
More countries and more games means more content to sell to broadcasters and advertisers. As a result, the 2026 World Cup is being heralded as the most important sporting event in history, expected to bring in $11 billion or more.
The wind was part of the sunny financial situation presented at the conference, revealing a historic budget for the FIFA cycle from 2027 to 2030 of $ 14 billion.
“Mark my words, we’re going to do a lot better than that,” Infantino told members.
Infantino closed the meeting by announcing his intention to stand again for the presidency in the upcoming FIFA elections in 2027.
