Calls are mounting on social media for FIFA to suspend the national football teams of the United States and Israel from international competitions following the latest escalation in the Middle East.
Online campaigns gained traction Saturday after the US and Israel launched what officials described as a large-scale military operation targeting sites in Tehran and other Iranian provinces. The strikes prompted swift retaliation from Iran, which fired missiles toward Israeli territory and US military bases in the region.
In response to the developments, some football fans have urged FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, to impose sanctions similar to past tournament bans applied to other nations during periods of armed conflict.
The hashtag campaigns have called for the suspension of both teams from international events, including World Cup qualifiers and major tournaments.
FIFA has not issued any official statement regarding the demands.
The controversy comes as the US prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and is expected to be one of the largest sporting events in history.
While political tensions have historically influenced global sports governance decisions, it remains unclear whether the latest calls for a ban will translate into formal action by international football authorities.
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