FIFA president Gianni Infantino fails to secure handshake between Israel and Palestine football chiefs on stage

Rowan Elmsford1 May 2026

FIFA Congress stage in Vancouver with two officials standing apart after a failed handshake attempt

FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s attempt to orchestrate a handshake between the football chiefs of Israel and Palestine collapsed in public view on the stage of the governing body’s Congress in Vancouver yesterday, as the Palestinian leader refused to stand alongside his Israeli counterpart and shouted to delegates that “we are suffering”.

Infantino had invited Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestine Football Association (PFA), and Basim Sheikh Suliman, vice president of the Israel Football Association (IFA), to address the 76th FIFA Congress. Each spoke for several minutes, after which Infantino asked Suliman to remain on stage and then called Rajoub back. Rajoub paused, engaged in an animated discussion with Infantino while gesturing in Suliman’s direction, and ultimately declined to participate in the handshake Infantino was attempting to arrange.

Delegates watched as Infantino appealed directly to both men. “Let me thank the two representatives from Israel and Palestine, who have the same rights, the same duties and are members of FIFA,” he said, with the two officials standing apart either side of the platform. “President Rajoub, vice president Suliman, let’s work together. Let’s work together to give hope to the children.” He invoked a forthcoming under-15 tournament involving all 211 member nations and said: “You have my commitment, you have the support of the whole room.”

Palestinian football president Jibril Rajoub gesturing and shouting during a tense exchange on the Congress platform

Rajoub could be heard shouting “please, please, please, we are suffering” before stepping forward to embrace Infantino, kissing him on the cheek, and walking off stage. Suliman then embraced Infantino and the FIFA president returned to his seat. “These are very complicated matters, but we never give up on any challenge and we continue on this as well because all children from Palestine and Israel deserve the same hope in the future,” Infantino said afterward, adding that he would visit both regions when conditions allow.

West Bank settlements and the PFA’s legal challenge

During his address to Congress, Rajoub alleged that Israel had breached FIFA’s anti-discrimination regulations by permitting football clubs to be based in West Bank settlements. The PFA has been locked in a protracted dispute with FIFA over this issue, arguing that clubs located in territory considered occupied under international law should not compete in Israeli leagues.

In March 2026, FIFA ruled that it would take no action against the IFA or Israeli clubs, citing the “unresolved and complex legal status of the West Bank”. The PFA immediately announced it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Rajoub confirmed at the Congress that the appeal has been lodged. PFA vice president Susan Shalabi later stated that the PFA had exhausted all legal avenues within FIFA and was pursuing CAS as the final institutional path to achieve justice, noting that FIFA’s council had decided “not to decide” after 15 years of deliberations on the matter.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaking at a podium while delegates observe the escalating diplomatic incident

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee had previously found the IFA guilty of “grave and systemic” discrimination violations, including racism and the exclusion of Palestinians from football infrastructure in settlements, but declined to impose major sanctions. In a separate development, FIFA fined the IFA $190,000 for disciplinary charges that included “discrimination and racist abuse”, “offensive behaviour” and “violations of the principles of fair play”.

Devastation of Palestinian sport amid the Gaza conflict

The PFA’s case is set against a devastating backdrop for Palestinian sport. According to the Palestinian Sports Media Association, as of January 2025 at least 708 athletes had been killed in Gaza, including 369 football players, and 273 sports facilities had been destroyed. By August 2025 that figure had risen to more than 800 Palestinian athletes and officials killed in Gaza and the West Bank, among them 421 football players. By February 2026, the number had reached at least 1,007 Palestinian athletes killed. Approximately 90 per cent of Gaza’s sports facilities, including stadiums and gyms, have been damaged or destroyed; the Yarmouk Stadium in Gaza City has been reduced to rubble. The PFA has accused Israel of deliberately targeting sports clubs and facilities, violating the Olympic Charter.

Suliman, who is Arab-Israeli, did not address Rajoub’s allegations in his own speech. Instead, he claimed the IFA had supported the existence of the PFA “since day one” and said the organisation “extend a hand to the Palestinian FA” — a statement that preceded Infantino’s failed handshake attempt.

Empty space on a conference stage between two microphones after one official refused to return for a handshake

Infantino’s diplomatic effort was widely seen as an attempt to choreograph a moment of unity before his expected re-election bid for a third term as FIFA president. He has previously faced criticism from human rights organisations over his stances, particularly in relation to the Qatar World Cup.

Rajoub explains his refusal

After the Congress, Rajoub confirmed he had refused to shake hands with Suliman. “Could I shake hands with someone representing a fascist, racist government and defending even the bullies of this government? I don’t think I have to,” he told reporters. He said Infantino was “right to try to build bridges” but suggested the FIFA president did not know the “deep suffering” of the Palestinian people. Shalabi added: “I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide! We are suffering.”