Soccer fans around the world call on FIFA, UEFA to 'show Israel the red card'

As Israel prepares to play 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, its soccer teams are facing calls to be banned from all competitions.

Soccer fans around the world have been chanting, unfurling banners and holding red placards demanding FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) "Show Israel the Red Card."

"It's amazing that it's reaching this far," Palestinian content creator Ahmed Bdair told CBC News. "All this kind of stuff has, honestly, pleasantly surprised me."

The campaign started on Feb. 12 during a Champions League game in Scotland. Fans of Celtic FC expressed support for Palestinians and called on FIFA and UEFA to "show Israel the red card."

According to the organizers, the protest was motivated by Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

"Israel is committing genocide and ethnic cleansing; it is practicing apartheid; and it is illegally occupying Palestinian territory. All of this is in breach of international law," the Green Brigades, Celtic's ultras fan group, said in a leaflet prior to the match. 

"We call on football fans around the world who value life, humanity, dignity, freedom, peace and justice to be courageous and to use your platform to stand against the crimes of Israel and stand with Palestine," the group continued.

The campaign has since spread to countries like Italy, Spain, Belgium, Malaysia, Tunisia, Brazil and Chile, among others.

FIFA and UEFA did not respond to CBC's repeated requests for a comment.

The protests come after Israel has killed nearly 50,000 Palestinians in Gaza in their post-Oct. 7 operations, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. Among the Gaza death toll are at least 734 Palestinian athletes and scouts, including 382 soccer players, according