UEFA Pauses Vote on Israel Suspension After Trump Unveils Gaza Plan

Overview

• UEFA had planned to decide this week on Israel’s status but postponed the vote, according to The Times, to allow consideration of President Donald Trump’s 20‑point Gaza proposal.
• The U.S. State Department said it would work to prevent any attempt to bar Israel from the 2026 World Cup.
• Before the delay, multiple reports indicated a majority within UEFA leaned toward exclusion, though some federations favored Israel’s continued participation and others had not declared positions.
• Norway and Turkey publicly backed suspension, while a separate letter coordinated by Nujum Sports and Athletes 4 Peace saw 50 professional athletes urge UEFA to ban Israel from European competitions.
• The athletes’ appeal referenced recent UN findings alleging intent to commit genocide in Gaza, which Israeli authorities deny, and any UEFA suspension could erase Israel’s qualifying results and affect teams like Italy and Norway, with potential knock‑on effects for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League.