A group of pro-Palestine campaigners staged a high-profile protest in Toronto ahead of a 2026 World Cup fixture on Friday, unfurling a giant red banner demanding Israel’s removal from international football competitions. The demonstration took place near a major tournament installation visible from one of the city’s busiest motorways, drawing attention from supporters travelling to the match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which finished in a 1-1 draw.

Activists wearing shirts bearing the slogan “Jews for a Free Palestine” said the action was intended to pressure FIFA over its continued relationship with Israel during the ongoing genocidal war in Gaza. Protest organisers also called for the release of Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, who has remained imprisoned by Israeli forces since late 2024.

Speaking during the demonstration, campaign representatives accused FIFA of ignoring what they described as longstanding violations linked to Israeli settlement clubs operating in the occupied West Bank. They argued that Palestinian football has suffered years of disruption, with restrictions on players, damaged sporting infrastructure and repeated interruptions to domestic competitions. The protest renewed wider calls from rights advocates and international figures urging football authorities to reconsider Israel’s participation in global tournaments during the genocidal war in Gaza.