Washington, Sept. 26 -- The United States government signaled it will use its political weight and the practical leverage of co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup to shield Israel from a fast-growing push to bar its men's national team from next summer's tournament. With European soccer officials weighing an emergency suspension and United Nations experts urging sporting sanctions over Israel's conduct in Gaza, a State Department spokesperson said Washington "will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel's national soccer team from the World Cup," a line first reported in wire copy that cited Sky News' interview with the department. Reuters summarized the US stance and the coming vote.

The clash now unfolding is as ...