Israel National Football Team Coach Names Starting Striker for Nations League Opener

Ran Ben Shimon, the coach of the Israeli national football team, is set to announce his squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign. The team will face Austria, Ireland (twice), and Kosovo in their opening matches. Twenty-seven players are expected to be called up, though Eitan Azulai and Gabi Kanyukovsky will join later due to family weddings.

After deliberation, Ben Shimon has decided that Sayed Abu Farchi will start as the striker against Austria. Abu Farchi, who recently joined Colorado, is the only striker not observing Yom Kippur and will arrive in Austria on Sunday, allowing him to adjust to the time difference more quickly. Other forwards in the squad include Dor Turgeman, Tai Baribo, and Idan Toklomati.

The midfield is expected to feature Dor Peretz, Oscar Gloukh, and Eliel Peretz. The attacking line will be completed by Manor Solomon and Anan Khalaili, with Oscar Gloukh also playing a role. In central defense, Idan Nachmias or Raz Shlomo will partner Nikita Stoyanov. Daniel Peretz is confirmed as the goalkeeper, and Roy Revivo will play at left-back.

Stav Lemkin will miss the matches due to injury, while Ilai Feingold and Noam Steifman are expected to be included in the squad. Ben Shimon is also considering Eli Dasa, who has been training despite not yet signing with a club and has a history of good national team performances, for the right-back position, alongside Guy Mizerachi. Dasa arrived in Israel yesterday and will train with fitness coach Eran Shadu this morning.