Israel national football team explained

Israel
Fifa Trigramme:ISR
Nickname:Hebrew: התכולים-לבנים (The Skyblue and Whites)
Hebrew: הנבחרת (The Chosen Team)
Badge:Israel football association.svg
Badge Size:185px
Association:Israel Football Association (IFA)
Confederation:UEFA (Europe; 1980–81; 1991–present)
OFC (Oceania; 1985–89)
AFC (Asia; 1954–74)
Coach:Ran Ben Shimon
Captain:Eli Dasa[1]
Most Caps:Yossi Benayoun (101)
Top Scorer:Eran Zahavi (35)
Fifa Max:15
Fifa Max Date:November 2008
Fifa Min:99
Fifa Min Date:January 2018
Elo Max:23
Elo Max Date:April 1976
Elo Min:81
Elo Min Date:December 1959
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First Game:
as the State of Israel:
World Cup Apps:1
World Cup First:1970
World Cup Best:Group stage (1970)
Regional Name:European Championship
2Ndregional Name:Asian Cup
2Ndregional Cup Apps:4
2Ndregional Cup First:1956
2Ndregional Cup Best:Champions (1964)
3Rdregional Name:Asian Games
3Rdregional Cup Apps:2
3Rdregional Cup First:1958
3Rdregional Cup Best: Silver Medal (1974)

The Israel national football team (Hebrew: נבחרת ישראל בכדורגל|{{Italics correction|Nivḥeret Yīsrāʾēl BeḴaduregel) represents Israel in men's international football, and is governed by the Israel Football Association. They have been members of the European Confederation UEFA since 1994.

Israel qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 1970. They also won the 1964 AFC Asian Cup, before a forced relocation to UEFA.

History

See main article: History of the Israel national football team and Mandatory Palestine national football team.

Early history

Football has a long tradition in Israel. The game was originally introduced during the time of the Ottoman Empire. The Palestinian Football Association was formed in August 1928, and joined FIFA in June 1929, but at the time the association was made up of Arab clubs, Jewish clubs, and clubs representing British policemen and soldiers serving in the region during the British Mandate rule that spanned the period between World War I and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The Mandatory Palestine national football team made its debut against Cairo (Egypt) in 1934 FIFA World Cup qualification, losing 0–5 in Cairo, Egypt. The team played five international matches, including a friendly match against Lebanon that Palestine won 1–5; until the British Mandate for Palestine national team was dissolved. During those five games, the national team fielded only Jewish players. Three anthems were played before each match: the British "God Save the King", the Jewish (and future Israeli) "HaTikvah", and the opposing team's anthem.[2]

In 1948 the team became, officially, the national football team of (the State of) Israel.[3] The Israel national team's first match as an independent nation was on 26 September 1948, against the US Olympic Team. The game was won by the US 1–3, and in the 20th minute of the game Shmuel Ben-Dror scored the first goal after the creation of the State of Israel.

Asian Football Confederation membership

Muslim and Arab countries boycotting Israel

Israel was one of the founding members of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) following its own independence in 1948 (prior to that it played under the banner of the "British Mandate of Palestine").[4] After the 1974 Asian Games in Iran, and Israel's 0–1 tense loss to Iran in the finals,[5] Kuwait and other Muslim and Arab countries refused to play them. Following this, Israel were expelled from the confederation and spent a few years trying to qualify from such continental bodies as the OFC (Oceania), before eventually joining UEFA (Europe) officially.[6]

Israel's last years in the AFC

Israel competed at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) between 1954 and 1974. Due to the Arab League boycott of Israel, several Muslim countries refused to compete against Israel. The political situation culminated in Israel winning the 1958 World Cup qualifying stage for Asia and Africa without playing a single game, forcing FIFA to schedule a playoff between Israel and Wales to ensure the team did not qualify without playing at least one game (which Wales won).

Israel hosted and won the 1964 AFC Asian Cup.

In 1968, Israel went to their first Olympic Games and lost to Bulgaria in the quarterfinals.

In 1969, Israel qualified for its first and only FIFA World Cup, via Asia/Oceania. Israel earned two points after a 1–1 draw with Sweden, a 0–0 draw with eventual finalist Italy, and a 0–2 loss to Uruguay. The goal against Sweden, scored by Mordechai Spiegler, is Israel's only FIFA World Cup goal to date.

In 1974, Israel was excluded from AFC competitions, as a result of a proposal by Kuwait (as other Muslim and Arab countries refused to play against Israel), that was adopted by a vote of 17 to 13 with 6 abstentions.[7] [6] The vote coincided with the 1974 Asian Games, where the football competition was marred by the refusal of both North Korea[8] and Kuwait to play second-round matches against Israel.

In 1976, Israel went to its second Olympic Games and lost in the quarterfinals again, this time against Brazil. In 1973 and 1977, Israel participated in the World Cup qualification tournament which included teams from both Asia and Oceania, but failed to qualify.

Years in exile

First steps in UEFA

During the early 1980s, Israel played the majority of its matches against UEFA (Europe) teams, and competed in the European stage of qualification for the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

First steps in OFC

For the next two tournaments, Israel entered Oceania's (OFC) qualification stage.

In 1989, Israel won the OFC second round (Oceania) by finishing above both Australia and New Zealand. As a result, Israel made it to the CONMEBOL–OFC play-offs to represent Oceania and play against CONMEBOL's (South America) Colombia for the 1990 World Cup, but lost (1–0, 0–0).

UEFA membership

In 1991, Israeli clubs began participating in European club competitions of UEFA, and Israel returned to the European leg of World Cup qualifying in 1992. In 1994, Israel received full UEFA membership, 20 years after it had left Asia. Within Europe, Israel has been a relatively minor nation, though with some successes, notably winning 3–2 in Paris against France in 1993, and 5–0 against Austria in 1999. That year, Israel made it to the UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying play-offs, but was beaten by Denmark.

Israel came close to advancing to the playoff stage in their 2006 World Cup qualifying group, finishing third, behind France, and tied on points with Switzerland, which also remained unbeaten in 10 matches after 4 wins and 6 draws. The Swiss had a better goal difference, though, and advanced to the qualification play-off. Coach Avram Grant announced his resignation on 26 October 2005. After the end of his contract, he was succeeded by Dror Kashtan.

In UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying, Israel came very close to qualifying for the final tournament, but finished fourth in Group E, just one point behind second-placed Russia, who qualified directly with Croatia, and level on 23 points with England, who also failed to advance. The 4–3 home loss to Croatia was the first loss after 13 consecutive official games and 9 home games without a loss.

In 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, Israel again came in fourth, behind Switzerland, Greece, and Latvia. For the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, Kashtan was replaced as coach by Frenchman Luis Fernández but Israel failed to qualify again, finishing third behind Greece and Croatia.

The continued presence of the Israeli Football Association in UEFA was a precedent cited by Australia to justify its transfer from the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation.[9]

In 2018, Willi Ruttensteiner was appointed as technical director. A national football academy was founded and three supporting development centers were established.[10]

Israel subsequently failed to qualify for any World Cup or European Championship finals, and performed inconsistently during the qualifying phases in which they took part, alternating between the good and the not-so-good. However, in the qualifiers for Euro 2020, they came very close to making history. Despite finishing 5th and penultimate in their particularly homogeneous qualifying group, Israel earned the right to play in the play-offs thanks to their position in the 2018-2019 edition of the Nations League. They first had to play in the semi-final of the Path C play-off in Scotland to earn the right to play in the final of the play-off in Serbia, which defeated Norway away in extra time. The game was tight, and the Israelis were finally eliminated in a penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw in regulation time and extra time (0–0, 3:5), Eran Zahavi having missed the first Israeli shot.

Promoted to League B for the 2020-2021 edition of the Nations League without having finished top of their group in the previous edition, thanks to the change of format subsequently decided by UEFA, Israel ensured their survival by finishing 3rd and penultimate in their group, with a balanced record of 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats. At the 2022-2023 Nations League, Israel finished top of its 3-team group (Russia, which should have taken part, was excluded from European and international competitions due to its aggression against Ukraine), thanks to 2 wins over Albania (2–1 in both legs) and 2 draws against Iceland (2–2 on each occasion), synonymous with promotion to League A for the 2024-2025 edition.

In the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Israel was again eliminated at the play-off stage, as in the previous edition. Indeed, they finished 3rd in their qualifying group and saw their place in the play-offs assured thanks to their status as group winners at the 2022-2023 Nations League. Against Iceland in the semi-finals of the play-offs for Path B, they opened the scoring with Eran Zahavi's 31st-minute penalty, but failed to hold on to their advantage and were soundly beaten (1–4). The turning points of the match were Roy Revivo's 73rd-minute red card for a crude foul, and Eran Zahavi's penalty miss 7 minutes after the red card, when the score was 1–2.

Home stadium

The first home game of the Israel national football team was at Palms Ground on 6 April 1934 against Egypt in a 1934 World Cup qualifier. Prior to the formation of Israel, they also played at the Maccabi Ground for the 1938 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and Maccabiah Stadium. The first national team to represent the newly formed State of Israel back in 1948, had played at the Ramat Gan Stadium as part of 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification, in front of 55,000 spectators. The Ramat Gan Stadium would remain Israel's home stadium until 2013.

Since the construction of Sammy Ofer Stadium in the city of Haifa, Teddy Stadium in the city of Jerusalem, Turner Stadium in the city of Be'er Sheva, Netanya Stadium in the city of Netanya and Bloomfield Stadium in the city of Tel Aviv – the Israel national team has rotated their official home matches between the latter five.

Active stadiums

ImageStadium CapacityLocationFirst matchLast match
51
UEFA
Bloomfield Stadium29,400Tel Aviv, Israel17 May 196412 September 2023
14
UEFA
Teddy Stadium31,733Jerusalem, Israel12 February 199219 June 2023
12
UEFA
Sammy Ofer Stadium30,942Haifa, Israel16 November 20142 June 2022
9
UEFA
Netanya Stadium13,610Netanya, Israel6 February 201329 March 2022
4
UEFA
Turner Stadium16,126Be'er Sheva, Israel14 October 201812 October 2021

Inactive stadiums

ImageStadium CapacityLocationFirst matchLast match
137Ramat Gan Stadium41,583Ramat Gan, Israel8 March 195415 October 2013
3Maccabiah Stadium20,000Tel Aviv, Israel30 July 194928 October 1950

Kit suppliers

Kit supplier Origin Period
UmbroUnited Kingdom1970
DiadoraItaly1992–1995
AdidasGermany2008–2018
PumaGermany1985–1989
1996–2008
2018–2024

Results and fixtures

See also: Israel national football team results (2020–present). The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2024

Coaching staff

[11] [12]

PositionName
Head coach Ran Ben Shimon
Assistant coach Amir Schelach
Gal Cohen
Fitness coach Eran Shedo
Matan Shoshani
Goalkeeping coach Itay Zilpa
Analyst Adar Rosenberg
Maayan Bahalul
Technical manager Roy Reinschreiber
Avi Levi
Head doctor Ehud "Udi" Kaufman

Coaching history

[13] [14]

Players

Current squad

The following players were called for the friendlies matches, on 8 and 11 June 2024 against Hungary and Belarus; respectively.[21] [22]

Caps and goals are correct as of 7 June 2024, after the match against Hungary.[23] [24] [25] [26]

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Israel squad within the last 12 months. INJ Withdrew due to injury or illness
PRE Preliminary/extended squad
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension due to either a red card, or two accumulated yellow cards
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to neither injury nor illness issue
U21 Player withdrew from the squad to play for the national under-21 team

Records

See main article: List of Israel international footballers and Israel national football team records and statistics. [27]

Players in bold are still active with Israel.

Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

Most capped players

width=25 Rankwidth=150 Namewidth=50 Capswidth=50 Goalswidth=100 Career
1Yossi Benayoun101 23 1998–2017
2Tal Ben Haim95 2 2002–2017
394 0 1995–2007
488 1 1992–2006
Bibras Natcho884 2010–2023
6Amir Schelach850 1992–2001
780 17 1992–2005
8Eyal Berkovic789 1992–2004
Dudu Aouate780 1999–2013
10Tal Banin77 12 1990–2003

Top goalscorers

width=25 Rankwidth=150 Namewidth=50 Goalswidth=50 Capswidth=50 Ratiowidth=100 Career
1Eran Zahavi35742010–present
224 57 1964–1977
323 52 1992–1999
23 101 1998–2017
519 45 1956–1968
61737 1992–2001
17 38 2011–2019
17 50 1984–1997
17 80 1992–2005
1015 36 1966–1977
15 40 2014–2022

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

See main article: Israel at the FIFA World Cup.

See also: 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC) and 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC and OFC).

FIFA World Cup recordQualification record
YearRoundSquadOutcomeConfederation
As As
1930Did not enterDid not enter
1934Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 11 Africa/Asia
19382 0 0 2 1 4 Europe
As As
1950Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 11Europe
19544 0 0 4 0 5
19582 0 0 2 0 4 CAF/AFC
19626 3 1 2 13 14 UEFA
19664 0 0 4 1 12
197012th 3 0 2 1 1 3 Squad4 3 1 0 8 1 AFC/OFC
1974Did not qualify Zone A Final6 4 1 1 12 2
19784 2 1 1 5 3
19828 1 3 4 6 10 UEFA
19866 3 1 2 17 6 OFC
19906 1 4 1 5 5
199410 1 3 6 10 27 UEFA
19988 4 1 3 9 7
20028 3 3 2 11 7
200610 4 6 0 15 10
201010 4 4 2 20 10
201410 3 5 2 19 14
201810 4 0 6 10 15
202210 5 1 4 23 21
2026To be determinedTo be determined
2030
2034
Total Group stage 3 0 2 1 1 3 Final Round 130 43 35 52 180 180

UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship recordQualification record
YearRoundSquadOutcome
1960–1992Not a UEFA memberNot a UEFA member
1996Did not qualify 5th10 3 3 4 13 13
2000Play-offs8 4 1 3 25 9
20043rd8 2 3 3 9 11
20084th12 7 2 3 20 12
20123rd10 5 1 4 13 11
20164th10 4 1 5 16 14
2020Play-offs11 3 3 5 16 18
2024Play-offs11 4 3 4 12 15
2028To be determinedTo be determined
2032
Total Play-offs 80 32 17 31 124 103

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
League phaseFinals
SeasonYearSquad
2018–19C12nd42026530th 2019Did not qualify
2020–21B22nd62227725th 2021
2022–23B21st42208617th 2023
2024–25A2To be determined 2025To be determined
Total14644211817thTotal

Olympic Games

See main article: Israel at the Summer Olympics.

See main article: article.

See also: Israel at the 1968 Summer Olympics, Israel at the 1976 Summer Olympics and 1980 Summer Olympics boycott.

Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W L GF GA Squad
1952Did not enter
1956
1960Did not qualify
1964
19685th 4 2 1 1 9 7 Squad
1972Did not qualify
19766th 4 0 3 1 4 7 Squad
1980Withdrew
1984Did not qualify
1988
1992–presentCompetition played as an Under-23 competition
Total Quarter-finals 2/10 8 2 4 2 13 14

AFC Asian Cup

See main article: Israel at the AFC Asian Cup.

See also: 1956 AFC Asian Cup, 1960 AFC Asian Cup, 1964 AFC Asian Cup, 1968 AFC Asian Cup and 1972 AFC Asian Cup.

AFC Asian Cup record
Year Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad
1956 Runners-up 3 2 0 1 6 5 Squad
1960 Runners-up 3 2 0 1 6 4 Squad
1964 Champions 3 3 0 0 5 1 Squad
1968 Third place 4 2 0 2 11 5 Squad
1972 Withdrew+
Total 1 Title 13 9 0 4 28 15

+ Israel qualified as hosts but later withdrew. Thailand replaced them later.

Asian Games

See main article: Israel at the Asian Games.

See also: Israel at the 1958 Asian Games and Israel at the 1974 Asian Games.

Asian Games record
Year Round Pld W D L GF GA Squad
1951Did not enter
1954
19583 2 0 1 6 3 Squad
1962Did not enter
1966
1970
1974Runners-up 7 6 0 1 24 4 Squad
Total 2/13 10 8 0 2 30 7

FIFA World Ranking history

The following is a chart of yearly averages of Israel's FIFA World Ranking.[28]

Honours

As an memberAFC Asian Cup

Asian Games

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: נאתכו: בטוח שהנבחרת תגיע ליורו, אהיה בשווייץ . 25 March 2023 . 25 March 2023 . 25 March 2023 . he . https://web.archive.org/web/20230325014511/https://www.one.co.il/Article/432368.html . live .
  2. Web site: Palestine – International Results – Details. 20 July 2013. Hassanin. RSSSF. Mubarak. 13 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221013140042/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/pales-intres-det.html. live.
  3. Web site: 28 June 2011. Statistical Kit: Preliminary Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. 21 December 2020. FIFA.com. 53. A Jewish delegation from Palestine (then a British mandate) played at the qualifying games for 1934 & 1938. It was the first Jewish national team, and as such the forerunner of Israel.. https://web.archive.org/web/20210719092004/https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/52463a2cc01d135/original/c91tgtfetbsmneex1vbc-pdf.pdf. 19 July 2021. live.
  4. Web site: Site-Map-Israel-Football-Facts—Stats. 19 May 2016. 6 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190506201825/http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Site-Map-Israel-Football-Facts-and-Stats.html. live.
  5. Web site: Bayati recalls Iran's tense win over Israel. 1 April 2021. 7 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407070402/https://www.the-afc.com/en/features-and-interviews/31318-bayati-recalls-irans-1968-afc-asian-cup-triumph. live.
  6. News: Time is right for Israel to return to its Asian roots . London . The Guardian . James . Montague . February 27, 2008 . 1 April 2021 . 23 October 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171023230949/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/27/worldcup2010 . live .
  7. News: Aust-Asian bid fails . 2014-07-10 . . 1974-09-16 . 11 . 9 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160509162442/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RNRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HOUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4321,5571494 . live .
  8. News: Rahman . Mansoor . 'Visibles' win without any kick... . 2014-07-10 . . 1974-09-14 . 22 . 9 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160509071908/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dIYjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Cn4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1154%2C1546654 . live .
  9. News: Why Does Israel's Football Team Play In Europe?. Williams. Richard. 19 May 2015. Sky News. 8 August 2016. 24 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180624084031/https://news.sky.com/story/why-does-israels-football-team-play-in-europe-10359083. live.
  10. https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000133170699/willi-ruttensteiner-ist-nicht-mehr-israel-teamchef Willi Ruttensteiner ist nicht mehr Teamchef von Israel
  11. Web site: Israel Football Association - National A Team - Team Staff . . 2023-11-21 . 2022-05-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526144321/https://www.football.org.il/en/national-team/?itemid=%7B5C5E67D5-F97D-4B34-A3DA-76C0B0F22F6F%7D&national_team_id=3 . live . en .
  12. Web site: ההתאחדודת לכדורגל בישראל - [- נבחרת ישראל בכדורגל גברים (בוגרים)] - בעלי תפקידים ]. . 2024-05-23 . he .
  13. Web site: In national team - Ran Ben Shimon - National A Team - Team Staff . Israel Football Association. 2023-11-21 . 21 November 2023 . 6 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406103452/https://www.football.org.il/en/national-team-staff/coach-details/?coach_id=4388&ismaincoach=true . live .
  14. Web site: Alon Hazan, football manager . 21 November 2023 . 30 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180830142328/https://eu-football.info/_manager.php?id=1461 . live .
  15. Win% is rounded to two decimal places
  16. Web site: Andreas Herzog, football manager .
  17. Web site: Andreas Herzog, football manager .
  18. Web site: וילי רוטנשטיינר סיים את דרכו כמאמן נבחרת ישראל: "גאה בעשייה שלי". 7 February 2022. 1 April 2022. 4 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230404142705/https://www.davar1.co.il/360107/. live.
  19. Web site: ברומר וחרזי יאמנו את נבחרת ישראל - ספורט 5. 17 March 2022. 22 March 2022. 20 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320052110/https://www.sport5.co.il/articles.aspx?FolderID=285&docID=397100. live.
  20. Web site: רשמי: אלון חזן מונה למאמן נבחרת ישראל - ספורט 5 . 8 May 2022 . 1 May 2022 . 26 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220426112303/https://www.sport5.co.il/articles.aspx?FolderID=285&docID=400450 . live .
  21. Web site: Israel Football Association - [seniors National] Team Squad ]. 27 May 2024 . en .
  22. Web site: ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל - נבחרת לאומית גברים [בוגרים] ]. 21 November 2023 . 7 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607103927/https://www.one.co.il/Article/436668.html . live. he .
  23. Web site: Andorra vs. Israel - 21 November 2023 - Soccerway .
  24. Web site: Andorra vs Israel, 21 November 2023 .
  25. Web site: Most Israel Caps . 21 November 2023 . 17 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230317010225/https://eu-football.info/_players.php?id=210&data=9 . live .
  26. Web site: National A Team – Team Squad . . 21 November 2023 . 9 September 2023 . 31 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531070921/https://www.football.org.il/en/national-team/?itemid=%7BF5FA369D-4E38-4D35-8BB9-3948CC7B16E4%7D&national_team_id=3 . live .
  27. Web site: Mamrud . Roberto . Israel – Record International Players . RSSSF . 18 November 2023 . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221209045454/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/isra-new-recintlp.html . live .
  28. Web site: The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Associations - Israel- Men's . FIFA. 29 March 2022. 10 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220410145026/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ISR. live.