The PFA filed a CAS appeal in approximately April 2026 against FIFA's decision not to suspend the IFA or expel Israeli clubs based in occupied West Bank settlements. FIFA had instead fined the IFA $191,000.Source: Al Jazeera

When was the Israel Football Association founded?

1928, originally as the Eretz Israel Football Association under the British Mandate, renamed after Israeli independence in 1948.

Who is the Israel Football Association vice-president?

Basim Sheikh Suliman, who appeared on stage at the 30 April 2026 FIFA Congress in Vancouver during the handshake refusal incident with Palestinian FA president Jibril Rajoub.Source: CBC News

Background

The Israel Football Association (IFA; Hebrew: התאחדות לכדורגל בישראל) is the body governing football in Israel, representing the country at FIFA and UEFA. Founded in 1928 under the British Mandate as the Eretz Israel Football Association and renamed after independence in 1948, it is headquartered in Ramat Gan and oversees the Israeli Premier League, men's and women's national teams, and youth development. The IFA joined UEFA in 1994 after suspension by the AFC, placing Israeli clubs and the national team in European competition. Israel qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — its first World Cup appearance since 1970 — through the UEFA qualification pathway.

The IFA is the institutional respondent to a Palestinian Football Association complaint about Israeli football clubs based in occupied West Bank settlements. FIFA in early 2026 declined the PFA's demand for suspension or club expulsion, instead fining the IFA approximately $191,000 with proceeds earmarked for anti-discrimination programmes and requiring a 'Football Unites the World – No to Discrimination' banner at three Israel matches. The PFA appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport around 20 April 2026 , moving the case to an independent arbitral body that FIFA does not control. UN human rights experts have separately called for IFA suspension citing International humanitarian law.

At the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver on 30 April 2026, IFA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman appeared on stage alongside Palestinian FA president Jibril Rajoub at Infantino's request. Rajoub refused to shake Suliman's hand, publicly asking Infantino whether he understood Palestinian suffering . The CAS appeal, not the Congress photo-op, is the proceeding with the potential to change the IFA's World Cup status before the 11 June opener.

More questions

What is the IFA's role in the West Bank settlement clubs controversy?

The IFA registers and oversees several Israeli football clubs based in occupied West Bank settlements, which the Palestine Football Association argues breaches FIFA statutes. FIFA fined the IFA but declined to suspend or expel the clubs.Source: Haaretz

Is Israel going to play in the 2026 World Cup?

Israel qualified for the 2026 World Cup through UEFA. FIFA declined to suspend the IFA, though the Palestine Football Association has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. As of May 2026, Israel remains in the tournament.Source: FIFA / CAS

What is the Palestine Football Association's case against Israel at FIFA?

The PFA argued that Israeli football clubs based in occupied West Bank settlements violate FIFA statutes and UEFA membership obligations. FIFA responded with a ~$191,000 fine on the IFA rather than suspension. The PFA appealed to CAS around 20 April 2026.Source: FIFA / CAS filings

When did Israel last play in a FIFA World Cup?

Israel last appeared at a World Cup in 1970 in Mexico. The 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is its first World Cup appearance in 56 years, achieved through UEFA qualification.

Why did Jibril Rajoub refuse to shake hands with an Israeli official at the FIFA Congress?

At the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver on 30 April 2026, Rajoub refused to shake the hand of IFA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman, asking Infantino publicly whether he understood 'the deep suffering of the Palestinian people'. The gesture accompanied an active CAS appeal filed ten days earlier.Source: FIFA Congress reporting

What is the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling on Israel's World Cup participation?

As of May 2026, the CAS had not yet issued a ruling. The PFA filed its appeal around 20 April 2026. The CAS timeline means a decision before the 11 June opener is possible but not certain.Source: CAS / AFP

Source Material

Israel Football Association — Official Site Israel Football Association — Wikipedia