Football Geopolitics: Spain Could Boycott 2026 World Cup

The Spanish national team could miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, from June 11 to July 19. Government spokesman Patxi Lopez has hinted that Spain could boycott the final tournament if Israel qualifies. "The vast majority of society is protesting against genocide. This is the dignity of a people who do not want to be complicit,” Lopez said, referring to demonstrations in Spain, including those during the Vuelta cycling tour.

• Campaign launched in New York

In parallel, advocacy organizations and fan groups have launched the #GameOverIsrael campaign, calling on European soccer federations - including those in Belgium, England, France, Italy and Spain - to boycott the Israeli national team and ban Israeli players from domestic competitions. The call was marked by a giant billboard in New York's Times Square with the message "genocide,” approved after the publication of a UN report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

• International reactions

"Americans must not allow our stadiums to become platforms for covering up war crimes,” said Abed Ayoub, director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). The organization announced that it supports the exclusion of Israel from all international competitions. Israeli officials rejected the UN report's conclusions as "outrageous” and "false.”

• Israel's sporting situation

Israel's qualification for the World Cup remains uncertain, however. The team coached by Ran Ben Shimon is in third place in Group I of the European qualifiers, 6 points behind the leader, with only two matches remaining. Italy is in second place, a position that leads to a play-off. The winners of the 12 UEFA groups go directly to the final tournament, and the second-place teams enter the play-offs.