Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub, right, gestures toward FIFA president Gianni Infantino, centre, after refusing to stand together with Israel Football Association vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman, left, during the 76th FIFA Congress, in Vancouver, on Thursday.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
FIFA’s annual congress unfolded Thursday against a backdrop of geopolitical tension, including a heated moment involving Palestinian and Israeli soccer officials and the conspicuous absence of the Iranian delegation.
The 76th annual gathering, held this year at the Vancouver Convention Centre, convened all but one of FIFA’s 211 member associations to vote on key issues and shape the future of the sport. The absence of Iranian soccer officials – who were denied entry into Canada on Tuesday – was highlighted during the morning’s roll call.
FIFA confirmed Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup kicking off June 11, but Thursday’s meeting – which used speeches and videos to emphasize themes of growth, unity and inclusion – also laid bare rifts in the organization just weeks before Canada, the United States and Mexico host its marquee tournament.
After several agenda items, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said representatives from both the Palestinian and Israeli soccer federations had requested to speak.
Palestinian soccer federation president Jibril Rajoub delivered an impassioned 20-minute speech urging FIFA to apply its own rules consistently, pointing to the governing body’s decision not to impose sanctions on Israel over its soccer clubs in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Football Association is appealing the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Iranian soccer chief denied entry to Canada
Mr. Rajoub, who wore a keffiyeh draped over his shoulders, asked the congress to remember the Palestinian children “who have seen their pitch reduced to rubble, who are still asked to believe that the game belongs to them, too.”
Israel Football Association vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman then rose with a short speech about soccer being a tool for co-existence. “In football, there is no place for politics,” he said in Hebrew, adding that his group has viewed the Palestine Football Association as an equal since Day 1.
After their speeches, Mr. Infantino called both men back to the stage and invited them to shake hands and pose for a photo. Mr. Rajoub refused, gesticulating and raising his voice speaking with Mr. Infantino in an exchange that was inaudible to most in the room.
Mr. Rajoub told reporters after the event that he refused to shake hands with someone who is whitewashing Israel’s actions, and added that Mr. Suliman didn’t even acknowledge what is happening in Palestine.
“Could I shake hands with someone representing a fascist and racist government and defending, even, the policies of this government?” he said. “I don’t think that I have to shake hands.”
Member associations to meet in Vancouver at 76th FIFA Congress
Mr. Rajoub said he respects the FIFA president, who has a right to try to bridge gaps.
“Maybe he understands, but he does not know the deep suffering of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian sport family,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Infantino opened his remarks by addressing the absence of the Iranian delegation.
“Let me start at the outset confirming straight away for those who maybe want to say something else, or write something else, that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” he said.
“And of course Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is very simple, dear friends. It’s because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.”
Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been complicated by the war in the Middle East, with President Donald Trump suggesting in a social-media post last month that the country’s athletes would be unsafe in the U.S. On Thursday, responding in the Oval Office to Mr. Infantino’s remarks, Mr. Trump said, “You know what? Let them play.”
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Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj and other officials had arrived at Toronto Pearson Airport on Tuesday night but were denied entry into Canada.
Mr. Taj had previously served as a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada listed as a terrorist entity in June, 2024.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Wednesday it was her understanding that the Iranian delegation had received permission to enter Canada but it was then revoked. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada did not respond to questions about reports that Mr. Taj had been issued a temporary resident permit, which allows foreign nationals who are otherwise inadmissible to Canada to enter the country temporarily if there is a compelling reason.
Outside the convention centre Thursday, demonstrators voiced other concerns. Noora Mohammadiyoun was one of dozens of people rallying for a regime change in Iran. She called on FIFA to “stop dealing with terrorists.”
“They are not our representatives,” she said. “We don’t believe that these people are qualified to speak for Iranians. They are not Iranians; they are just IRGC soldiers – terrorist soldiers.”
Meanwhile, a coalition of human-rights groups rallied to draw attention to what they called the human cost of hosting the tournament. They demanded accountability from FIFA leadership, including protections against the displacement of vulnerable populations.
Earlier in the week, the FIFA council, the main decision-making body between congress meetings, voted to grant an Afghanistan women’s refugee team, which plays under the name Afghan Women United, eligibility for international competitions.
The council also voted to increase the amount of preparation and qualification money each World Cup team will receive this summer, and to provide subsidies for other expenses.