Israel National Football Team Squad Announced for Nations League

Israel national football team coach Ran Ben Shimon will announce his squad on Thursday for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Austria, Kosovo, and Ireland. The team faces challenges in the central defense positions, with Itay Rotman and Nikita Stoyanov expected to be the primary center-backs, potentially joined by Raz Shlomo and Idan Nahmias. A positive development for the squad is the return of Liel Abada, who has been in strong form for Charlotte FC in the United States, scoring four goals and providing five assists this season. He will travel to Austria with teammate Idan Toklomati, who has scored eight goals. Both Abada and Toklomati, along with Tai Baribo and Dor Turgeman, are scheduled to join the team for training on Wednesday, just one day before their first match in Linz.

Captain Eli Dasa, currently without a club but seeking a move to the Netherlands, is also expected to be called up. Ben Shimon values Dasa's leadership and his ability to mentor younger players, recalling his strong performances for the national team even when he was clubless in previous campaigns. The team is set to depart for Austria next Sunday, where they will observe the Yom Kippur holiday. A significant portion of the squad, seven or eight players, will only arrive on Wednesday.