FIFA Eyes Symbolic Israel-Palestine Youth Match for New U.S. Tournament

FIFA is reportedly planning a symbolic opening match between Israel’s and Palestine’s under-15 teams as part of a new youth tournament due to begin in September in the United States, according to a Monday report in The Guardian. The match is described as unusually prominent and politically charged, but it has not yet been confirmed.

The tournament, announced by FIFA in December, is not being framed as an official World Cup for this age group. Instead, the games are expected to be shorter, played on smaller pitches, and contested by reduced squads of seven to nine players. FIFA says the competition will be open to all 211 member associations.

Russia has also been cleared to take part in the children’s event, despite remaining suspended from official senior national-team competition since its invasion of Ukraine. Miami is emerging as the likely host city, where FIFA already maintains major offices.

An official from the Israel Football Association told The Athletic that chairman Shino Zuaretz has repeatedly said, at FIFA Congress meetings and elsewhere, that Israel is open to using football as a tool for normalization and peace. “Our hand is always extended toward a better future, and we hope to find a partner on the other side,” the official said.