Only One of Three Israeli Teams Expected to Advance in European Football Qualifiers

On July 27, 2026, three Israeli football clubs, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Beitar Jerusalem, and Hapoel Tel Aviv, begin their European competition campaigns. Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Israeli State Cup holders, face Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. According to Football Meets Data, Maccabi has a 63% chance to pass Sheriff but only a 15% chance to reach the Europa League group stage. Their overall chance to compete in any European competition this season is 52%, with expectations to be eliminated in the third qualifying round or the Conference League playoff.

Beitar Jerusalem, the league runners-up, start in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League against AEK Larnaca from Cyprus. Unlike Maccabi or Hapoel, Beitar has no fallback route if eliminated. The forecast gives Beitar a 39% chance to advance to the third qualifying round but only an 8% chance to reach the Conference League group stage. FootballRankings offers an even lower estimate of 2.6% for Beitar to reach the group phase.

Hapoel Tel Aviv returns to European competition after 12 years, drawn against Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad in the second qualifying round of the Conference League. The team faces tough odds, with a 36% chance to advance past Ludogorets and only a 4% chance to reach the group stage, according to Football Meets Data. Ludogorets themselves have a 17% chance to reach the group phase. FootballRankings gives Hapoel a mere 0.7% chance to qualify for the group stage.

Overall, only one of the three Israeli representatives is realistically expected to progress beyond the early rounds, highlighting the challenging European path ahead for Israeli clubs this season.