At the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, the president of the Palestinian Football Federation reiterated his call for FIFA to impose sanctions on Israel. Jibril Rajoub made this statement after refusing to shake hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman, the vice-president of the Israel Football Association, on stage in front of numerous international soccer representatives at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Rajoub justified his actions by labeling the Israeli government as fascist and racist, stating that he could not shake hands with someone representing such a government. He emphasized the importance of principles and expressed his belief that the Israeli representative was not suitable to be a FIFA partner.
During the congress, FIFA president Gianni Infantino found himself in an uncomfortable situation trying to facilitate the handshake between the two delegates. Despite the tension, Infantino later downplayed the incident, calling the matters complex and emphasizing their collective work for the betterment of children worldwide.
The FIFA Congress, which convenes all 211 member associations of soccer’s global governing body, serves as a prelude to the upcoming 2026 men’s World Cup hosted jointly by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The encounter between the Palestinian and Israeli representatives stood out as a notable moment of discord in an otherwise harmonious gathering.
Notably, Iran was marked as “absent” during the roll call of FIFA members due to the Iranian Football Federation president and his delegation being denied entry to the congress despite having valid visas. This was linked to the president’s past affiliation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada designated as a terrorist entity.
Amidst discussions about Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup, Infantino reassured that Iran’s involvement in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including matches in the United States, remains secure.
The congress also saw Victor Montagliani, a key figure in international soccer, open the event. As the vice president of FIFA and president of the CONCACAF region, Montagliani played a crucial role in uniting the host nations for the 2026 World Cup bid, which will feature an expanded tournament format with increased revenue potential.
The congress concluded with a positive financial outlook, projecting a record budget for FIFA’s upcoming cycle and highlighting the significant revenue expected from the 2026 World Cup. Infantino concluded the meeting by announcing his intention to run for president in the next FIFA election in 2027.