Palestinian federation rejects U-15 match plan against Israel in US
PFA said it never received a formal FIFA proposal and would reject the match if the idea is brought forward.
The Palestinian Football Association denied reports that FIFA is preparing a match between the Palestinian U-15 national team and Israel at a soccer festival in the United States in September. PFA said it never received any official communication or proposal about the plan. The federation also said it would reject the match if it is formally presented. According to The Athletic, FIFA is seeking to stage a Palestine-Israel clash as the opening match of the U-15 festival, which would involve 211 FIFA members and use a modified match format. PFA said taking part in such an event risks becoming sportswashing amid the war in Gaza. The federation also said more than 1,000 Palestinian athletes have been killed since October 2023, including Sulaiman Al-Obaid and karate athlete Nagham Abu Samra.