Swiss Women's Soccer Team May Boycott World Cup Qualifiers Against Israel

The Swiss women's national soccer team is reportedly considering boycotting their upcoming World Cup playoff matches against Israel, scheduled for the 2027 tournament. According to reports from Switzerland, the players are expected to hold a meeting and vote on whether to play the two-game series. This situation mirrors a similar incident involving the Irish women's team, who debated playing against Israel in the Nations League. Johan Djourou, the Technical Director for the Swiss team, stated that the issue would be discussed with player representatives. He indicated that the team's association has not issued directives and emphasized the importance of listening to every player's perspective. Djourou affirmed that any player's decision to boycott would be respected, stating, "The discussion is open. We will talk to the players and listen to them." He added that while he is against war, sport is the focus, and he would respect the Israeli players. The Irish women's team ultimately played their match against Israel but opted for symbolic gestures, including a moment of silence during the Israeli anthem and wearing black armbands. The winner of the Israel-Switzerland playoff will advance to a final match against the victor of the Austria-Kosovo game for a spot in the World Cup, to be held in Brazil. The Israeli team has never qualified for the tournament and is aiming to make history.