FIFA weighs Israel-Palestine opener for new U-15 tournament

DUBAI: FIFA is considering an Israel versus Palestine opening match for its new under-15 football festival in the US this September, according to The Athletic.

The tournament is expected to be open to all 211 FIFA member associations including Russia, which remains suspended from senior international football following its invasion of Ukraine, the publication reported on Monday.

The proposed opening match reflects another step in FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s longstanding ambition to position football as a tool for peace. In 2025, he accompanied more than 20 world leaders to the Summit for Peace in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to support the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the reconstruction plans for Gaza.

He pledged FIFA’s help in rebuilding Gaza’s football infrastructure. However, efforts to bring together representatives from Israel and Palestine have proven challenging in recent months.

At FIFA’s congress in Vancouver in April, Infantino’s attempt to direct a symbolic handshake between Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub and Israel Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman fell apart in front of attendees.

Despite repeated appeals from Infantino, Rajoub refused to stand alongside the Israeli delegate, telling the room: “Please, we are suffering.”

Rajoub later said he believed Infantino had good intentions but argued that Suliman was “not a qualified partner” for a handshake. He accused the Israeli official of defending and “whitewashing” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government rather than representing the interests of sport.

The reported proposal also comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding visa issues plaguing the 2026 World Cup.

Rajoub told AFP on Friday