At the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, the president of the Palestinian Football Federation reiterated his call for FIFA to sanction Israel. Jibril Rajoub made this demand after refusing to shake hands with the vice-president of the Israel Football Association, Basim Sheikh Suliman, on stage at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Rajoub justified his actions by stating that he couldn’t shake hands with someone representing a government he deemed fascist and racist. He expressed his belief that the Israeli representative was not suitable to be a FIFA partner facing the audience.
During the congress, an awkward moment ensued when FIFA president Gianni Infantino attempted to mediate the handshake between the two delegates. Despite the tension, Infantino later downplayed the incident, emphasizing the complexity of the matter and the collective effort to work for the benefit of children worldwide.
The FIFA Congress, uniting 211 member associations of soccer’s governing body, serves as a precursor to the upcoming 2026 men’s World Cup. The event, co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, is set to feature seven games in Vancouver.
The encounter between the Palestinian and Israeli representatives stood out as the primary point of contention in an otherwise harmonious meeting. Notably, all FIFA members were acknowledged during a roll call, with Iran being marked as “absent” due to issues encountered by its delegation upon arrival in Toronto.
Despite geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran, Infantino affirmed Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing the inclusivity of the tournament. The congress was officiated by Victor Montagliani, a prominent figure in international soccer, holding key positions within FIFA and the CONCACAF region.
Montagliani played a pivotal role in orchestrating the 2026 World Cup bid, which will span three countries and involve 48 teams, leading to an increased number of matches and revenue-generating opportunities. The congress highlighted a positive financial outlook, with FIFA projecting a historic budget for its upcoming cycle, signaling significant growth and potential revenue generation. Infantino concluded the meeting by expressing his intention to run for president again in the 2027 FIFA election.