A group of pro-Palestinian activists displayed a banner calling for Israel’s expulsion from FIFA near the Toronto stadium, in Canada, this Thursday (June 12, 2026), hours before the World Cup’s debut.
The demonstration took place on an embankment near the Gardiner Expressway, one of the city’s main highways. Participants extended a red banner with the message “Expel Israel from FIFA” over the World Cup logo. Some protesters wore t-shirts with the phrase “Jews for a free Palestine”.
“Kick Israel out of FIFA”
Activists in Toronto disrupted World Cup Opening Day.
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng)
The group also called for the release of Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, captured by the Israeli Army in Gaza at the end of 2024.
Faisal Ibrahim, spokesperson for the activists, told the agency Reuters that FIFA is “accomplice” of Israel’s actions against the Palestinians. According to him, the entity allows the participation of Israeli clubs in occupied areas and broadcasts these matches, which, in the group’s opinion, normalizes the occupation.
The Palestinian Football Association says that Israeli clubs cannot operate in occupied Palestinian territories. In March, FIFA said it would not take action against these teams and cited the West Bank’s undefined legal status in international law.
