The situation in Gaza has worsened significantly since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023. As of June 2025, it is estimated that over 80,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza. The United Nations World Food Programme has warned that around 500,000 residents are on the brink of starvation and urgently need humanitarian aid.

UEFA is facing a growing number of calls from the public to ban Israel and its clubs from participating in their tournaments. In response, General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis stated that there were no plans to take similar actions against Israel compared to Russia.

Theodoridis emphasized that the situations in Russia and Israel are distinct. He pointed out that the start of the war in Russia and Ukraine differs from the current situation in the Middle East, which is regrettable.