Rabat – FIFA is considering opening its inaugural Under-15 football festival in the United States with a symbolic match between Israel and Palestine.
The tournament, scheduled for September, is expected to welcome all 211 FIFA member associations, including Russia despite its ongoing suspension from FIFA competitions following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The proposed opening fixture comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino attempted to bring together representatives from the Israeli and Palestinian football federations during FIFA’s annual congress in Vancouver.
During the congress, Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub and Israel Football Association vice president Basim Sheikh Suliman separately addressed delegates before Infantino invited them back on stage in an effort to promote dialogue.
The moment quickly turned tense, with Rajoub emotionally telling delegates, “We are suffering,” referring to Israel’s bloody genocide against Palestinians.
“We have a beautiful under-15 tournament coming up, where we will invite all 211 countries to participate, all the children of the world, let’s do it for that,” Infantino said on stage. “Let’s work together, you have my commitment, you have the support of the whole room.”
According to The Athletic, FIFA’s latest proposal would see the Israeli and Palestinian Under-15 national teams face each other in the tournament opener as part of what officials describe as “an attempt to use football as a bridge for peace.”
A spokesperson for the Israel Football Association told The Athletic that the federation remains willing to “use football as an instrument to promote normalization and peace,” adding that their “hands are always extended for a better future for everyone.”
The Palestinian Football Association has not publicly commented on the proposal.
