During a press conference ahead of their match, a Kosbian journalist confronted the Israeli national soccer team about double standards in international sports. Concluding that FIFA suspended Russia over the war in Ukraine, the journalist was asked whether it was morally fair for Israel to compete around the world while committing genocide and killing thousands of children in Gaza. The team representatives and the captain repeatedly evaded the question, refused to answer and demanded only "volleyball ties".

During a press conference ahead of their match, a Kosbian journalist confronted the Israeli national soccer team about double standards in international sports. Concluding that FIFA suspended Russia over the war in Ukraine, the journalist was asked whether it was morally fair for Israel to compete around the world while committing genocide and killing thousands of children in Gaza. The team representatives and the captain repeatedly evaded the question, refused to answer and demanded only "volleyball ties".