Photo: VCG

European football's governing body UEFA, which organizes the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, could meet to decide whether to suspend Israel as early as next week, multiple media reported Thursday.  

A majority of the UEFA 20-member executive committee is expected to support any vote in favor of suspending Israeli teams from international play, the Associated Press reported, citing unnamed sources.

A group of United Nations (UN) human rights experts on Tuesday  urged FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel from international competitions, describing the move as a "necessary response" to the ongoing genocide in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Several countries, including Canada, France and the UK, have recently announced their recognition of a Palestinian state.

"More and more countries recognize the state of Palestine. This fully shows global opinion trends and what the global community wants," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference on Wednesday . 

"A Two-State solution is the only viable solution to the question. China will continue working with the international community to support the Palestinian people in realizing independent statehood, and make unremitting effort for the comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question as soon as possible." 

FIFA has not responded to UN experts' call as the Israeli men's team is still trying to qualify for 2026's World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.

The Trump administration will work to prevent FIFA from banning Israel from international football ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Sky News  reported Thursday.