Spanish government officials have suggested they could pull their national team out of the 2026 World Cup.
World football’s biggest tournament will take place once again next summer in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the first time the competition has been hosted by three different nations.
European champions Spain are the bookmakers’ early favourites to win and are on course to book their place at the tournament, having taken two wins from two at the start of qualifying.
But there are now suggestions Luis de la Fuente’s side could withdraw from the World Cup in protest if Israel also qualify for the tournament.
Israel are currently third in their qualifying group but have a real chance of securing at least a play-off spot. They are currently six points behind group leaders Norway but level on points with second place Italy, with three games remaining.
Only the group winner qualifies for the World Cup automatically, with second place potentially securing a play-off spot depending on results in other groups.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions over its actions in Gaza.
