Nadine Osman
The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) president and its former coach have urged FIFA to investigate Israel over alleged human rights violations. This call comes after Norway was drawn into the same World Cup qualifying group as Israel on December 13, 2024.
Germany, Italy, Estonia, and Moldova make up the rest of Norway’s group in the World Cup qualifiers. The matches against Israel are scheduled for March 25 (neutral venue) and October 11 (at Ullevaal, Oslo) in 2025.
Photo: Norway’s former national team coach Egil “Drillo” Olsen also called for Israel’s ban from the World Cup (Credit: Jarle Vines/WikiCommons)
NFF President Lise Klaveness aligned with her government’s stance, which has demanded an end to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Klaveness emphasised that the NFF is advocating for FIFA to impose sanctions on Israel. “The draw is challenging for us, beyond sports. None of us can ignore the disproportionate attacks Israel has inflicted on Gaza’s civilian population,” Klaveness stated. The NFF reaffirmed Norway’s alignment with its government in calling for an immediate cessation of attacks on civilians in Gaza.
Norway’s former national team coach Egil “Drillo” Olsen also called for Israel’s ban from FIFA tournaments. “The NFF has a very clear stance on the issue and on trying to get Israel excluded. It’s obviously not that simple, but we’ve done this before.”
Norway is one of three European nations, alongside Spain and Ireland, that formally recognise Palestine. The NFF highlighted its decade-long collaboration with Palestinian football, which includes supporting infrastructure development and coaching programmes.
Photo: Lise Klaveness, (centre) President of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), calls on FIFA to investigate Israel ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in March. (Credit: Johannes Dalen Giske/Arbeiderpartiet)
In October, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) formally requested FIFA suspend Israeli football, citing the war in Gaza. At the same time, FIFA announced its Governance, Audit, and Compliance Committee would investigate allegations, including the Israeli football teams allegedly operating in Palestinian territory. Furthermore, the PFA reported that the conflict had led to the deaths of at least 92 non-professional footballers. Additionally, it caused the suspension of the Palestinian league and forced the national team to play abroad.
Klaveness, a former footballer and the first woman elected as NFF president has a history of speaking out on ethical issues. In 2022, she criticised Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup and FIFA’s plan to award the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia. After FIFA recently awarded Saudi Arabia hosting rights, Norway questioned the decision. The NFF’s current stance on Israel also reflects its broader opposition to actions perceived as undermining human rights.
Although FIFA has pledged to investigate the allegations against Israel, it has yet to take concrete action or announce a timeline for any potential sanctions. FIFA has previously intervened in politically charged conflicts. In 2022, Russia was banned from international competitions after it invaded Ukraine. Similarly, in 2023, Indonesia lost its hosting rights for the FIFA U20 World Cup due to concerns about allowing Israel to compete.
The Palestine Football Association expressed gratitude for Norway’s support. “The PFA appreciates Norway’s recognition of the ongoing violations against Palestinian civilians and athletes, aligning with its commitment to justice and the integrity of international sports,” read the PFA’s statement.
Trump’s sanctions rollback fuels Israeli settler violence and West Bank annexation push
US has committed a staggering $22 billion to support Israel’s military operations since October 2023
Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of “acts of genocide” in Gaza amid water crises
