The United States government says it will work to stop any attempt to ban Israel from taking part in the 2026 World Cup, amid calls for sporting sanctions against the country over its genocide in Gaza.

In a statement released to multiple media outlets on Thursday, a US State Department spokesperson pledged: “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national football team from the World Cup.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament is due to be played in the US, Canada and Mexico.

According to reports, pressure is building within the European footballing body UEFA to ban Israel from matches in Europe – which could potentially block Israel from attempting to qualify for next year’s World Cup – after a United Nations commission of inquiry concluded last week t

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