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

On August 6, 2026, the Israeli Football Association officially inaugurated a new national team facility in the Zevulun Regional Council, attended by Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, Football Association Chairman Shino Zuaratz, and Israel national team coach Ran Ben Shimon. The event highlighted ongoing efforts to improve football infrastructure and the ambition to bring international matches back to Israel.

Minister Zohar emphasized Israel's strong security capabilities and expressed optimism about hosting games domestically again, though he did not commit to a timeline. He noted a significant investment of 120 million shekels in upgrading football fields and stressed the need to combat sports-related violence, which has decreased but remains a concern.

Chairman Zuaratz described the new facility as a milestone for Israeli football and confirmed he holds "one bullet" to use when conditions allow the national team and clubs to play home matches again. He condemned a recent security incident at the Moshava Stadium, stating the responsible security personnel have been detained and that the event's management must be held accountable.

Regarding UEFA President Gianni Infantino, Zuaratz refrained from elaborating but confirmed that Israel, along with other UEFA members, supports the president's policy decisions. Coach Ben Shimon praised the new complex and compared Israeli infrastructure to the high standards seen in the United States, particularly the MLS, highlighting the importance of player development and investment.

Ben Shimon acknowledged the challenges of hosting matches abroad but affirmed the team's competitiveness and commitment despite these conditions. The new facility and investments signal a strategic push to elevate Israeli football both domestically and internationally.