Canada Soccer has introduced CanadaRED, an “enhanced way for fans, supporters, and donors to connect with Canada Soccer” and demonstrate “Canadian pride”. It is also the exclusive platform to get tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
But there is nothing to be proud of when FIFA continues to give Israel a free pass.
We call for a boycott of the World Cup games in Canada unless Canada Soccer calls on FIFA and the UEFA to give Israel a Red Card, and kick out apartheid!
For decades, Israel has violated FIFA’s principles of human rights, anti-discrimination, and equality in football. This would normally warrant disciplinary actions and even a suspension of its membership. However, the politics of FIFA have prevented the organization from taking such action in the past. Showing blatant hypocrisy on how and when to act. It has failed to act even though the Palestine Football Association (PFA) has documented these violations repeatedly. FIFA even amended its internal by-laws to make it harder for the PFA to demand such action. This makes it clear it is now the responsibility of civil society to apply the pressure necessary to bring this about.
As Canada prepares to host the World Cup, along with the USA and Mexico, activities are ramping up to hire staff, prepare facilities in Toronto and Vancouver, and market the event. It is a stain on Canada Soccer to host the 2026 World Cup without calling on FIFA and UEFA to sanction Israel’s membership, regardless of whether Israel is a qualifier to the games.
Canada Soccer needs to call on FIFA and the UEFA to take immediate action to remove Israel.
The hypocrisy is clear: In February 2022, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia within hours of its invasion of Ukraine. Yet Israel, despite decades of brutal occupation, systemic segregation, discrimination against Palestinians, and now a live-streamed genocide in Gaza, faces no sanctions. FIFA and UEFA’s double standards must end.
Football clubs in Palestine and around the world, supporter groups in Europe, and human rights organizations globally have condemned Israel’s sports-washing and FIFA’s complicity in human rights violations, international law, and racism.
We call on Canada Soccer to:
- Publicly demand that FIFA and UEFA suspend the IFA.
- Refuse to host the 2026 World Cup in good faith while Israel continues to enjoy impunity.