Fifa President Gianni Infantino has suggested a symbolic Israel vs Palestine under-15s football match in his most recent attempt to broker unity in the Middle East.
Fifa revealed plans last December for a global under-15s tournament, and Infantino reportedly wants the opening match to be contested between Israel and Palestine.
He did not directly reference this idea at the Fifa Congress in Vancouver in April, but did speak about the ongoing conflict, saying: “Let me thank the two representatives from Israel and from Palestine, who have the same rights, duties and obligations, who are members of Fifa”.
He continued: “We will work together, let’s work together to give hope to the children, let’s work together for that.”
“We have a beautiful under-15 tournament coming up, where we will invite all 211 countries to participate, all the children of the world, let’s do it for that. Let’s work together. You have my commitment, you have the support of the whole room.”
There was, however, an awkward moment when Infantino brought the presidents of both the Israeli and Palestinian associations on stage for a symbolic handshake, which had reportedly been pre-agreed, only for Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian FA, to snub his counterpart.
Rajoub declined to move closer to Basim Sheikh Suliman, despite Infantino placing a hand on his arm and gesturing for him to do so.
As he refused the handshake, he also shouted at the audience, with his deputy, Susan Shalabi, later telling Reuters that he said: “I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide. We are suffering.”
Both teams have a guaranteed invitation to the tournament, which is taking place in the US in September, as it has no qualification stage. It is not an official under-15s World Cup.
It is open to all 211 Fifa members – including Russia, which has been banned from Fifa competitions since February 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.
Fifa has, thus far, resisted widespread calls for Israel to receive the same treatment in connection with the Gaza War.
The tournament will be a boys’ competition, before a girls’ version is hosted next year, and two separate tournaments will be organised each year starting from 2028.
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