Israeli Football Federation Supports UEFA President Infantino's Decision Amid Plans to Return Matches to Israel

The new home of the Israeli national football teams was officially inaugurated on August 6, 2026, in the Zevulun Regional Council, attended by Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, Israel Football Association (IFA) Chairman Shino Zuaratz, and national team coach Ran Ben Shimon. The event highlighted the significance of the new facility and ongoing efforts to bring international matches back to Israel.

Minister Zohar emphasized Israel's strong security capabilities and expressed optimism about returning games to the country, though he did not expect it to happen this season. He noted a substantial investment of 120 million shekels to improve football infrastructure and stressed the need to combat sports-related violence, which has decreased but remains a concern.

IFA Chairman Zuaratz described the new facility as a major milestone for Israeli football and confirmed that security concerns must be fully addressed before hosting matches domestically again. He mentioned a recent incident at the Moshava Stadium, where a security guard was arrested, and called for accountability from the security company and event management. Regarding UEFA President Gianni Infantino, Zuaratz said he could not provide details but affirmed Israel's support for Infantino's policies as part of UEFA.

Coach Ran Ben Shimon praised the new complex and compared it to top-tier facilities in the United States, noting the high standards and professionalism in Major League Soccer. He acknowledged the challenges of hosting matches abroad but expressed confidence in the national team's competitiveness and preparation despite the circumstances.

The inauguration marks a step forward in Israeli football's development, with hopes to resume hosting international games when security conditions allow.