The President of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), Lise Klaveness, has urged FIFA to investigate Israel for potential humanitarian violations in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Israel and Norway. Klaveness’s statement was shared by Norwegian broadcaster NRK, and it highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The NFF president made it clear that her association fully supports the Norwegian government’s call for an end to the Israel-Hamas War and for the cessation of attacks on civilians in Gaza. Additionally, Klaveness called for FIFA to consider applying sanctions against Israel in light of these ongoing humanitarian concerns.
In her comments, Klaveness emphasized that the situation goes beyond just the realm of sports. “It is difficult for us beyond the purely sporting aspect,” she said, acknowledging the challenges and ethical considerations involved. “None of us can remain indifferent to the disproportionate attacks that Israel has subjected the civilian population in Gaza to over time.” These remarks reflect Norway’s deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the country’s stance on ensuring that international organizations, such as FIFA, address the situation with the appropriate seriousness and accountability.
FIFA recently revealed the groupings for the preliminary rounds of the 2026 World Cup, with the match between Israel and Norway scheduled for March 2025. This game is part of the qualification process for the World Cup, which will be held in North America. All qualifying matches are expected to conclude by November 2025, with the top teams earning a spot in the prestigious tournament. However, the Norwegian Federation’s call for FIFA’s intervention comes amid an ongoing debate over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the broader geopolitical context in which international sporting events are taking place.
Klaveness’s call for action from FIFA follows statements made by the governing body of world football in October. At that time, FIFA announced that it would not suspend Israel from international football competitions. However, it also indicated that the organization would investigate claims of discrimination against Palestinian football players and officials. FIFA’s decision not to take immediate action against Israel drew criticism from many, including Norway’s football authorities, who have a long-standing commitment to supporting Palestinian athletes and ensuring that international sports remain free from discrimination.
Klaveness pointed out that Norway’s involvement with the Palestinian Football Federation (PFF) has been longstanding and meaningful. “Moreover, we are closer to the region and the Palestinian Football Federation than most other European federations,” Klaveness explained. “We have worked on the ground for over ten years, educating female football coaches and creating football activities for children in schools and refugee camps.” This work on the ground, according to Klaveness, has provided Norway with a unique understanding of the situation in Palestine, making their calls for action from FIFA even more significant.
The head coach of the Norwegian football team, Ståle Solbakken, also commented on the upcoming match against Israel, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. While he stated that there would likely be significant discussions surrounding the match, Solbakken made it clear that the Norwegian team does not fear playing against Israel. “I think there will be many discussions,” Solbakken said. “It looks like it will be on neutral ground now.” Solbakken also remarked on the sensitive nature of the situation, noting that the events occurring in the region would likely be a major topic of conversation as the match approaches.
While acknowledging the weight of the political discussions, Solbakken stressed that the Norwegian team has been accustomed to handling political matters throughout his tenure as head coach. “I don’t know if we dread it, but we know this will be a major topic of conversation. And that’s how it should be, given what has happened in that region,” he added. Solbakken also expressed that the team was prepared to continue navigating such challenges, as politics and sports often intersect in complex ways, especially in such a geopolitically charged context.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) expressed strong support for Klaveness’s remarks. In a statement released on Tuesday, the PFA praised the NFF President for taking a “principled stance” on the issue. The PFA’s statement read, “The PFA expresses its full appreciation for Norway’s recognition of the ongoing violations against Palestinian civilians and athletes, aligning with its long-standing commitment to justice and the integrity of international sports.” The Palestinian football body underscored that Klaveness’s comments resonated with millions of people around the world who believe that FIFA and the broader international football community cannot afford to remain silent in the face of significant human rights violations.
The PFA went further to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinian sports and athletes under the Israeli occupation. “Israeli occupation forces are systematically targeting Palestinian sports, athletes, and infrastructure, blatantly violating FIFA regulations and international humanitarian law,” the statement read. The PFA also accused Israel of using football as a tool for political purposes, claiming that Israel’s actions violate FIFA’s statutes, which prohibit discrimination and the use of sports to further political or military agendas. According to the PFA, Israel’s actions are not only against the principles of fair play but also contribute to the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which they labeled as part of a broader strategy of annexation and ethnic cleansing.
The situation surrounding the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Israel and Norway has sparked a broader debate about the role of international sports organizations in addressing political issues. While some believe that sports should remain apolitical, others argue that organizations like FIFA have a responsibility to uphold human rights and ensure that their events are not used to legitimize actions that violate international law. The controversy over Israel’s involvement in international football has led to calls for more transparency and accountability within FIFA, as well as increased scrutiny of the way the organization handles situations where sport intersects with geopolitical conflicts.
As the match between Israel and Norway approaches, it is clear that the political and humanitarian issues surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict will continue to influence the discourse surrounding international football. The decision of whether FIFA will take any action against Israel or impose sanctions remains uncertain, but the calls for accountability from organizations like the NFF and PFA reflect the growing concern among many that the world of sports cannot remain indifferent to the ongoing suffering of civilians and athletes caught in conflict zones. The actions taken by FIFA, and by the football community at large, in response to this situation may set an important precedent for how future conflicts are handled within the realm of international sports.
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