The United States government will try to prevent any attempt to ban Israel from competing at the 2026 World Cup.
A United Nations commission of inquiry said earlier this month that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
That has led a panel of UN experts and the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call for sporting sanctions against the country.
Next year’s World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
A US State Department spokesperson told BBC Sport: “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup.”
Meanwhile, there have been reports that European football’s governing body Uefa – which organises World Cup qualifying matches – could meet to decide whether to suspend Israel as early as next week.
One senior source at a European member association told BBC Sport: “Our understanding is that Uefa leadership wants to see some action on this.
“Nothing is confirmed or scheduled. But there is a new, high-level pressure from many nations compared to just a month ago.”
