Spain likely to boycott 2026 World Cup if Israel participates

Spain has reportedly pulled their team out of the World Cup if Israel qualify. 

After a United Nations commission of inquiry concluded this week that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, Spanish government officials said they would “evaluate” the situation if Ran Ben-Shimon’s team qualifies for next year’s tournament in North America.

Patxi López, spokesperson for the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, acknowledged that Spain is weighing the possibility of withdrawing its national team from next year’s tournament. Israel, currently third in their UEFA qualifying group, have not reached a World Cup since 1970. However, the expanded 48-team format set for next year—up from the traditional 32—offers them a renewed opportunity to break that drought. Meanwhile, a new UN report has found reasonable grounds to conclude that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Lopez also told RMC Sport, “We will assess the situation at the right time. What we want is for people to realize that if Israeli teams cannot take part in sporting events or Eurovision, some are starting to open their eyes. Because ours are wide open and do not tolerate what they see, which is why we cannot and will not remain silent.”

Earlier this week, Spanish President Predro Sanchez told the media, “Why was Russia expelled after the invasion of Ukraine and Israel not expelled after the invasion of Gaza? Our position is clear and unequivocal: until the barbarity ceases, neither Russia nor Israel should be in any more international competitions.”