FIFA Plans U-15 Tournament Opening With Israel-Palestine Match, Israel Says It Won't Rule It Out

FIFA is planning a new under-15 youth tournament in September in the United States, and the opening match is expected to be between Israel and Palestine, according to a report in The Athletic that was confirmed in Israel. The Israeli Football Association said it does not rule out the game, with officials stressing they are willing to use football to promote reconciliation.

The event is being described by FIFA as a "U-15 Football Festival" and is open to all 211 member associations, including Russia, which has been suspended from FIFA competitions since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The tournament is expected to take place in the US in September.

According to the report, FIFA hopes to launch the project with the Israel-Palestine match. The idea follows an earlier attempt by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to arrange a handshake and joint photo between representatives of the Israeli and Palestinian associations at FIFA's annual congress on April 30 in Vancouver. That effort failed when Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, refused.

The Israeli Football Association said chairman Moshe Zuares stands by his public remarks at FIFA's congress and elsewhere. "We are more ready than ever to use football as a tool to promote normalization and peace," the association said. "Our hands are always outstretched toward a better future for everyone. We hope to find a brave partner on the other side."