October 6 – Switzerland’s women’s national team will collectively decide how to approach this week’s politically charged World Cup playoff against Israel, with the Swiss Football Association leaving open the possibility that individual players could opt out.
Switzerland Women face Israel in the first leg of their 2027 Women’s World Cup playoff on Friday, with Israel’s “home” game being held behind closed doors in Hungary. The second leg will be played in Sion four days later.
Johan Djourou, technical director of Switzerland’s women’s national teams, said the federation had not given any instructions to the players and would first consult the squad’s management group.
“We will meet with the team board and the national coach this evening,” he said.
Djourou added that any player who decided not to play would be respected for that decision.
“The discussion is open. We will talk to the players and listen to them, listening and accepting their ideas as well. The players are the priority.”
The situation comes against the backdrop of Ireland’s men, most of whom reluctantly took part in a Nations League doubleheader against Israel.
Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from those games on moral grounds, while the rest of the squad eventually voted to play. The Irish players wore black armbands, refused the pre-game handshake and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem. Their second game, played behind closed doors in Serbia, was also preceded by a press conference that was interrupted after heated exchanges with Israeli journalists.
The women of Switzerland have not yet decided whether they will make a similar gesture.
Djourou said: “I am very disappointed. Whenever I see what happens to these children and families there, I get very angry. But I don’t want this to become widespread. I am always against war and for peace.”
“Here, however, the focus is on the sport, and I have always respected my opponents. I will not turn a blind eye, but on Friday the sport takes center stage and I will respect the Israeli players.”
The Swiss federation has never been shy about taking an institutional stance. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he said his national teams would not play Russian opposition, although Russia’s subsequent suspension by UEFA and FIFA eventually removed the issue from the Swiss Women’s Euro 2022 schedule.
This time the federation leaves the decision-making in the hands of the players themselves. On the field, Switzerland Women are trying to secure a place at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil and would face either Austria or Kosovo in the next round of playoffs if they progress. If they have a full roster, and that’s a big if, they’re hotshots.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at (email protected)
