Palestinian football chief refuses Israeli handshake at FIFA congress, rebukes Infantino

Key facts

• Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association, refused to shake hands with Israel FA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino attempted to broker a handshake between the two delegates on stage at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
• Infantino confirmed his candidacy for a third full term as FIFA president in the 2027 election, to be held at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.
• The Palestinian FA vice-president Susan Shalabi said: 'I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide.'
• Iran's football federation president Mehdi Taj and his delegation were denied entry at Toronto Pearson Airport despite holding valid visas; Canada listed the IRGC as a terrorist entity in 2024.
• The 2026 men's World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, includes seven games in Vancouver.
• FIFA's statutes were altered so that only full terms count toward the three-term limit, potentially allowing Infantino to remain in office for 15 years.

A handshake refused on stage in Vancouver

The president of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, refused to shake hands with the Israel Football Association vice-president, Basim Sheikh Suliman, during the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver. The incident occurred after both men had addressed the congress and were called to the stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had hoped to orchestrate a conciliatory gesture. Rajoub was seen rebuking Infantino as the moment turned awkward, with hundreds of international soccer representatives watching from the floor of the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Rajoub's defiance and the limits of Infantino's diplomacy

Rajoub later explained his refusal, stating: '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 added that the Israeli representative was 'not qualified to be a FIFA partner facing the audience.' Infantino, who created the FIFA Peace Prize last year and awarded it to Donald Trump, tried to downplay the tension, saying: 'These are of course, as we know, very complex matters. We work together for the children of the world.' The exchange illustrated the limits of Infantino's ambition to portray himself as an international statesman.

Infantino announces re-election bid amid controversy

Shrugging off the palpable embarrassment in the hall, Infantino confirmed the worst-kept secret in sport: he will seek re-election as FIFA president next year. 'I want to confirm I will be a candidate for the election for FIFA president next year,' he said. 'I wanted you to be the first to know.' The election will take place at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, and Infantino is unlikely to face any opposition. First elected in 2016 as a reform candidate to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter, he could remain in office for 15 years after FIFA altered its statutes so that only full terms count toward the three-term limit.

Palestinian calls for sanctions against Israel

Rajoub used the congress to reiterate his call for Israel to be sanctioned by FIFA. The Palestinian FA's vice-president, Susan Shalabi, told Reuters: 'I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide. We are suffering.' The Palestinian delegation has long argued that Israeli policies violate FIFA statutes prohibiting political interference in football. of tension in an otherwise congenial meeting of all 211 member associations.

Iranian delegation turned away at Canadian border

The congress also saw a separate diplomatic incident: Iran's football federation president, Mehdi Taj, and his delegation were denied entry upon landing at Toronto's Pearson Airport on Tuesday, despite holding valid visas for the congress. Taj is a former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada listed as a terrorist entity in 2024. Iran was noted as 'absent' during the roll call of all 211 FIFA members.

Vancouver congress as a prelude to the 2026 World Cup

The FIFA Congress is seen as a lead-in to the 2026 men's World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico. Vancouver is scheduled to host seven matches during the tournament. The city's police motorcade that had been spotted heading to the congress was not for Infantino, according to the Vancouver Police Department.

A diplomatic failure with lasting implications

Infantino's failed attempt to stage a handshake underscores the deep political divisions that persist within global football. While the FIFA president seeks a third term and a legacy as a peacemaker, the Palestinian-Israeli dispute remains a flashpoint that no staged gesture can resolve. Rajoub's refusal, and the subsequent call for sanctions, ensures that the issue will continue to shadow FIFA's governance as it prepares for the next World Cup.

The bottom line

• Palestinian FA president Jibril Rajoub refused a handshake with Israel FA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, calling the Israeli government 'fascist and racist'.
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino's attempt to broker a handshake failed, highlighting the limits of his diplomatic influence.
• Infantino announced his candidacy for a third full term as FIFA president, with the election set for the 2027 Congress in Rabat, Morocco.
• The Palestinian FA reiterated its demand for Israel to be sanctioned by FIFA, citing political interference and human rights abuses.
• Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj and his delegation were denied entry to Canada despite valid visas, due to Taj's ties to the IRGC.
• The incident occurred against the backdrop of the 2026 World Cup preparations, with Vancouver set to host seven matches.