Norway win hearts on the pitch, push for Israel’s ban off it

While Norway's football team became the tournament’s breakout story with their quarterfinal finish at the FIFA World Cup 2026, their federation has quietly been fighting a different battle away from the pitch: using its influence inside FIFA and UEFA to push for Israel's suspension from international football, Politico reported.

The campaign is led by Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness, a lawyer and former Norway international who sits on UEFA's executive committee.

'We believe Israel should be suspended, and this is about upholding the rules,' Klaveness said ahead of Norway's qualifier against Israel in Oslo last year.

Norway's central argument rests on FIFA and UEFA's treatment of Russia, Politico reported. Both of which suspended Russian teams after the invasion of Ukraine.

Campaigners say Israel's continued participation despite the war in Gaza exposes a double standard in how football's rules are enforced.

The Palestinian Football Association launched its latest push for Israel's suspension in 2024, backed by Arab and Asian football bodies.

Their case cites the war in Gaza, discrimination against Arab athletes and Israeli clubs based in illegal West Bank settlements.

Norway has paired that institutional push with public gestures of solidarity.

The federation donated ticket revenue from their World Cup qualifier match against Israel in Oslo to Gaza relief efforts – a match Norway won 5-0 with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick.

Supporters displayed Palestinian flags and a "Let Children Live" banner during the match, while fans booed Israel's national anthem.

In March, FIFA declined to act against Israel over settlement-based clubs but fined the Israeli federation 150,000 Swiss francs for discrimination and conduct breaches.

FIFA also ordered Israel's federation to run anti-discrimination campaigns and display anti-discrimination banners at matches.

Norway, after returning to the World Cup after 28 years, left a lasting impression by knocking out Brazil in the Round of 16 and securing a place in the quarterfinal for the first time in their history.

Israel, meanwhile, has not competed in the World Cup since 1970.