What happens to Italy if UEFA decide to suspend Israel – Football Italia

UEFA are reportedly nearing a decision on whether or not to suspend Israel from competing in European competitions, which will have an impact on the Italy national team given that they and Israel are in the same World Cup qualification group.

Here is what is likely to happen if the European governing body takes the decision to suspend Israel from competing. 

Will UEFA ban Israel from competing in Europe? 

According to reports from The Times on Thursday, UEFA will make a decision on whether or not to suspend Israel from participating in its competitions next week. 

The report on Thursday claimed that ‘most’ of UEFA’s executive committee, which includes FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, are in favour of a suspension. 

This comes after a panel of UN advisors called upon UEFA and FIFA to issue a suspension after an enquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. 

A common argument is that Russia has been banned from competing in Europe since the nation’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and that Israel should face similar punishment. 

What happens next for Italy if UEFA ban Israel 

Italy and Israel are both in Group I of European World Cup qualifying. They faced off in September in Gennaro Gattuso’s second match in charge of the Nazionale, ending in a 5-4 victory in favour of the Azzurri. 

That result leaves Italy in second place in Group I on nine points from four matches. Israel also have nine points, albeit from five games, and currently sit behind Italy in third. Norway lead the way on a maximum 15 points from five games. 

According to Friday’s reports from La Repubblica, if Israel were to be banned from competing in UEFA competitions, which would include World Cup qualifiers, Group I would likely be reduced from five teams to four. The team who finishes top would still qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, and the team that finishes second would still earn a spot in the play-offs. 

However, all of Israel’s recent World Cup qualifying results would effectively be wiped. That means that Italy’s points tally would drop from nine to six, given that their recent 5-4 victory would be null and void. Italy would also drop -1 in goal difference. 

Norway, the only other nation in Group I to have beaten Israel so far, would also drop from 15 points down to 12, and would have their goal difference reduced by -2, given that they beat Israel 4-2 at the start of their qualifying campaign.