FIFA president's attempt at Israel-Palestine photo-op backfires in tense moment

With the world watching, Gianni Infantino wanted to produce a defining moment of his FIFA presidency.

It did not go as he planned. In fact, it backfired.

After representatives from both the Palestine Football Association (PFA) and the Israel Football Association (IFA) had given speeches at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on Thursday, Infantino invited both back on stage for a photo-op.

In a time of intense animosity between Israel and Palestine, the photo would have proven one of Infantino's most trusted clichés: "Football unites the world."

But awkwardness ensued. PFA president Jibril Rajoub refused to shake the hand of IFA vice president Basim Sheikh Suliman.

Instead, as Suliman watched on, Rajoub engaged in a heated dialogue with Infantino on stage for several minutes. Microphones were unable to pick up exactly what was said, but many at the event in Vancouver heard Rajoub's words: "We are suffering."

With Suliman and Rajoub looking on, Infantino returned to the podium in an attempt to clean up the situation.

"Let me please say something," Infantino said. "Let me thank the representatives from Israel and from Palestine, who have the same rights, the same duties and the same obligations, who are members of FIFA. We will work together – president Rajoub, vice president Suliman.

"Let's work together. Let's work together to give hope to the children. Let's work together for that. We have a beautiful U-15 tournament coming up where we will invite all 211 countries to participate. All the children of the world. Let's do it for that, please. You have my commitment. You have the support of the whole room."

During his speech, Rajoub hit out at FIFA for its decision not to sanction Israel over clubs based in the West Bank. The PFA filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport this week over the decision.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) interacts with the President of the Palestine Football Association Jibril Rajoub as the Vice-President of Israel Football Association Basim Sheikh Suliman (L) looks on during a heated moment in the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30, 2026.