Israel Football Association Bars Dia Saba From National Team

The Israel Football Association has confirmed that player Dia Saba will no longer be called up to the national team, effectively ending his international career. Sources within the association indicated that this decision was reached through a silent agreement with the 34-year-old player, who currently plays in the Turkish league. Saba will not be part of the upcoming Nations League campaign.

This exclusion adds to the challenges facing the national team as they prepare for their opening match on the 24th of the month in Austria. This game is the first of four matches scheduled within a ten-day period, which also includes two games against Ireland and one against Kosovo.

In addition to Saba, several other players will be unavailable. Gabi Kanykovsky will miss the first match due to his brother's wedding. Stav Lemkin and Itay Rotman are out of the squad due to injuries. Doron Leidner and Raz Shlomo might receive call-ups, as could captain Eli Dasa, who is currently without a club after his contract with NEC Nijmegen was not renewed. Omri Gandelman is also facing uncertainty due to irregular training with his club, Charleroi.

Further complicating matters, players based in the United States are expected to arrive only a day before the opening match in Austria.