Boycotts of Israel in sports

A number of countries have refused to recognize Israel and have boycotted its athletes in sports. This has led to Israeli athletes being disqualified or denied entry to some competitions. Even in events like the Olympics, some Arab and Muslim athletes avoid competing against Israelis. In countries like Iran, athletes are required by their governments not to compete against Israelis or in Israel.

From 1954 to 1974, Israel was part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Due to the Arab League's boycott, many Arab and Muslim nations refused to play against Israel. In 1958, Israel advanced in the World Cup qualifiers without playing a game, which led Fifa to require a playoff match with Wales (Israel lost). In 1974, Israel was removed from the AFC, mainly due to pressure from Kuwait.

To continue competing, Israel joined UEFA (Europe’s football group) as an associate member in 1992 and became a full member in 1994. The BDS movement has pushed for Israel to be banned from Fifa, but these efforts have failed. The 1976 Chess Olympiad was held in Haifa, Israel, causing controversy because countries like the Soviet Union and many Arab nations did not recognize Israel. When FIDE (the world chess federation) refused to move the event, the Soviet Union, its allies, and Arab nations boycotted it and held a separate Olympiad in Tripoli, Libya. In 2017, Israeli judoka Tal Flicker won gold at a tournament in the UAE, but officials there refused to display the Israeli flag or play the national anthem. Instead, they used the International Judo Federation's (IJF) symbols and anthem. Israeli athletes were also banned from wearing national symbols. That year, Saudi Arabia denied visas to seven Israeli chess players.

However, in 2018, the UAE allowed the Israeli flag and anthem after another Israeli judoka, Sagi Muki, won gold. Later that year, a group of international lawyers, including Alan Dershowitz, planned to challenge the banning of Israeli symbols at sports events. The IJF cancelled tournaments in Tunisia and Abu Dhabi over these restrictions. The World Chess Federation also threatened to ban Tunisia from hosting if Israeli players weren’t granted visas. In 2019, Israel’s national anthem was played in Qatar when Israeli gymnast Alexander Shatilov won gold, and it had also been played in Abu Dhabi in 2018 after another Israeli win.

On New Year’s Eve 2024, Jordan’s Football Association called for strong international action to stop Israeli sports participation, demanding strict sanctions in response to Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied territories.