What Israel Must Do to Qualify for the Next World Cup
Israel vs. Moldova | Photo: Courtesy of the Israel Football Association
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What Israel Must Do to Qualify for the Next World Cup
C14 News Desk, 10 minutes ago
The move from Asia to Europe, the lack of long-term plans for developing young players, and the security situation that prevents Israel from hosting home matches have made the World Cup dream more complicated than ever, these are the main challenges facing the Israel national team on the road, perhaps, to the World Cup.
World Cup 2026
As in the previous 13 times, Israel’s national team once again missed out on the World Cup. It is likely that most of us were not yet born when Moti Spiegler scored Israel’s only goal in World Cup history, back in 1970. So why does it not happen, and can the current situation be changed?
Photo: Flash90
In fact, the main reason for the team’s absence from the World Cup for 56 years is the critical move by the football association in 1994 from Asia to Europe. It is no secret that the level of football and the national teams in Asia is much lower than in Europe, and as a result of the move, the team’s chances of qualifying decreased because it plays against stronger opponents than before.
The lack of investment in youth over many years has meant that Israeli football has suffered from a lack of long-term plans for developing young players, little investment in advanced training facilities, and difficulties in professional management that meet high international standards. By contrast, one can see the dramatic rise of the Scandinavian national teams, which took the matter seriously and are now enjoying their golden age thanks to investment in youth.
Israel national team staff | Photo: Israel Football Association
Israel’s place in the FIFA rankings often leads to especially difficult draws. The team finds itself facing two or more of the continent’s strongest national teams, while only first place, and sometimes second place as well, allows continued competition for a World Cup ticket. In practice, that means nearly perfection is required throughout the campaign, a particularly difficult task against established football powers.
The unstable security situation in recent years
Above all, the security situation directly affects the national team’s operations, leading Israel to play its home matches outside the country’s borders. The lack of a permanent home pitch, the inability to play consistently in front of the local crowd, and the need to move between stadiums in Europe hurt tactical preparation and the competitive advantage it should gain from hosting in Israel.
Photo: Flash90
The rise in antisemitism around the world is also having a negative effect on the status of the Israeli footballer, and according to testimony from many agents, the task of sending players to Europe has become much more difficult. For example, the departures of Yarden Shua and Roy Revivo to Europe are delayed, among other reasons, because of this.
The fear of keeping an Israeli player
The growing hatred causes many club owners to believe it is not worth keeping an Israeli player, out of fear of angry reactions and protests from fans. This creates long-term damage, as fewer Israeli players manage to break into Europe’s top leagues. In fact, today only two representatives remain in the top five leagues, and both play in Italy, which is on a downward trend.
Photo: Flash90
In the end, Israel’s path to the World Cup goes not only through a successful qualifying campaign, but also through deeper changes, long-term investment in youth development, improved infrastructure, increased exports of players to Europe, and the creation of conditions that will allow the national team to compete consistently at the highest levels. Only a combination of all of these could bring Israel closer to its first World Cup appearance since 1970.
Group draw
Group A, Mexico national team, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic Group B, Canada national team, Bosnia, Qatar, Switzerland Group C, Brazil national team, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland Group D, United States national team, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey Group E, Germany national team, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador Group F, Netherlands national team, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia Group G, Belgium national team, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand Group H, Spain national team, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay Group I, France national team, Senegal, Iraq, Norway Group J, Argentina national team, Algeria, Austria, Jordan Group K, Portugal national team, Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia Group L, England national team, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
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UEFA, World Cup 2026, Israel national team, FIFA, Ran Ben Shimon
