The Spain national team risks not playing in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The reason stems from the request by the Government of Pedro Sánchez for Israel to be excluded from international competitions, which could directly impact La Roja's participation.
The current Sports Law grants that possibility. Article 14.o) empowers the Higher Sports Council (CSD), with authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to "authorize or deny (...) the participation of state-level national teams in international competitions."
This means that, if Israel qualifies for the World Cup, the Spanish government has the authority to prevent the senior national team's presence, which is currently competing in the UEFA Qualifiers.
Israel pelea por un puesto en los playoffs
Currently, the Israeli team is third in Group I, tied on points with Italy (2nd with 9, but with a better goal difference and one game less) and Norway (1st with 15 points). With 9 points still to play for, it will seek to fight for second place with the Italians, whom it will face in the next FIFA date, for a spot in the play-offs that will determine the last four qualifiers.
What the Spanish government says
Patxi López, PSOE spokesperson, addressed the issue in Congress: "We will assess it at the appropriate time." He added: "We are going to ask international organizations that Israel not participate."
Patxi López exige que Israel no participe en el Mundial 2026
"Why with Russia yes and with Israel no? Where is the difference?...We are requesting their exclusion. That is what we are doing at this moment, then we will assess the national team's presence," he argued.
Later, on his X account, López elaborated on his position: "Why yes to Ukrainian flags and not to Palestinian ones? Why is Russia expelled from international sports and not Israel? The world must open society's eyes in Israel: what its government is doing in Gaza is genocide. To remain silent is complicity."
