The Norwegian Football Association (NFF) has officially announced its refusal to participate in matches against the Israeli national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for Europe, citing the ongoing genocide of Palestinians since October 7, 2023.
Liz Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Association, confirmed the organization’s stance, revealing that it is actively lobbying international football bodies to impose sanctions on Israel in light of the situation. This announcement comes after the European qualifying draw placed Norway in a group alongside Israel, Estonia, Moldova, and the loser of the Germany-Italy quarter-final in the European Nations League.
In a statement to French news channel E24, Klaveness voiced strong support for the Palestinian cause, saying, “The Football Association supports the Norwegian government’s stance and demands an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on innocent civilians in Gaza.” She emphasized the importance of taking a moral stand in the face of the violence, adding, “None of us can remain indifferent to the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.”
As part of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, Norway is scheduled to face Israel in matches on March 25 and October 11. However, the Norwegian Football Association’s decision to boycott these fixtures has cast uncertainty over whether these matches will take place as scheduled.
The NFF’s stance has garnered attention and sparked debate, with many closely watching how international football bodies will respond to Norway’s call for sanctions against Israel.
