Gianni Infantino’s attempt at Israel-Palestine handshake backfires
Fifa president Gianni Infantino's attempt to orchestrate a handshake between Palestinian and Israeli football delegates at the 76th Fifa congress in Vancouver backfired when Palestinian delegate Jibril Rajoub refused to stand with Israeli delegate Basim Sheikh Suliman. Despite the diplomatic setback, Infantino announced his intention to run for a third term as Fifa president, an election expected to take place in Rabat, Morocco, with little opposition. The incident highlighted the limits of Infantino's diplomatic ambitions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between Israel and Palestine.
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Palestinian delegate Jibril Rajoub (right) walks away from Fifa’s president Gianni Infantino (centre) after refusing to stand together with Israeli delegate Sheikh Suliman, left. Photograph: Darryl Dyck/APView image in fullscreenPalestinian delegate Jibril Rajoub (right) walks away from Fifa’s president Gianni Infantino (centre) after refusing to stand together with Israeli delegate Sheikh Suliman, left. Photograph: Darryl Dyck/APGianni InfantinoGianni Infantino’s attempt at Israel-Palestine handshake backfiresJibril Rajoub refuses handshakeInfantino to seek third term as presidentMatt Hughes Global sports business correspondentThu 30 Apr 2026 18.30 EDTLast modified on Thu 30 Apr 2026 18.46 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleFifa president Gianni Infantino confirmed his intention to…
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