Israel national football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Israel women's national football team.

Israel
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)הכחולים-לבנים (The Blue and Whites)
הנבחרת (The Chosen Team)
AssociationIsrael Football Association (IFA)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe; 1980–81; 1991–present)
OFC (Oceania; 1985–89)
AFC (Asia; 1954–77)
Head coachWillibald Ruttensteiner
CaptainBibras Natkho
Most capsYossi Benayoun (101)[a]
Top scorerEran Zahavi (33)
Home stadiumTeddy Stadium (Jerusalem)
Sammy Ofer Stadium (Haifa)
Bloomfield Stadium (Tel Aviv)
Turner Stadium (Be'er Sheva)
Netanya Stadium (Netanya)
FIFA codeISR
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 78 Increase 1 (23 December 2021)[1]
Highest15 (November 2008)
Lowest99 (January 2018)
First international
 Egypt 7–1 Mandatory Palestine 
(Cairo, Egypt; 16 March 1934)
Biggest win
 Israel 9–0 Chinese Taipei 
(Wellington, New Zealand; 23 March 1988)
Biggest defeat
 Egypt 7–1 Mandatory Palestine 
(Cairo, Egypt; 16 March 1934)
 Germany 7–1 Israel 
(Kaiserslautern, Germany; 13 February 2002)
 Yugoslavia 6–0 Israel 
(Belgrade, Yugoslavia; 21 August 1949)
 Italy 6–0 Israel 
(Turin, Italy; 4 November 1961)
World Cup
Appearances1 (first in 1970)
Best resultGroup stage (1970)
Asian Cup
Appearances4 (first in 1956)
Best resultChampions (1964)
Medal record
AFC Asian Cup
Silver medal – second place 1956 Hong Kong Team
Silver medal – second place 1960 South Korea Team
Gold medal – first place 1964 Israel Team
Bronze medal – third place 1968 Iran Team
Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 1974 Iran Team

The Israel national football team (Hebrew: נבחרת ישראל בכדורגל, Nivḥeret Yisra'el BeChaduregel) represents Israel in international football, and is governed by the Israel Football Association (IFA).

Israel's national team is the direct successor of the Mandatory Palestine (Eretz Israel) national team, which played five internationals in 1934–1940, and was managed by the Eretz Israel Football Association. The Israel Football Association is a full member of the European Confederation UEFA since 1994.

Israel qualified for the FIFA World Cup for their first time in 1970. Israel has managed to win the 1964 AFC Asian Cup, prior to a forced relocation to UEFA.

History[]

Main articles: 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 One and the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. The British Mandate of Palestine national team made its debut against Egypt in 1934 FIFA World Cup qualification, losing 1–7 in Cairo. The team played five international matches, including a friendly match against Lebanon, until the British Mandate for Palestine 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.[3]

In 1948 the team became, officially, the national team of Israel.[4] 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[]

Main article: Politics and sports § Association football
See also: Association football and politics § The Muslim and Arab World boycotting Israel, and Mediterranean Games § Participating countries
Nahum Stelmach kicking; 1959

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/Eretz Israel").[5] After the 1974 Asian Games in Iran, and Israel's 0–1 tense loss to Iran in the finals,[6] Kuwait and other Muslim and Arab countries refused to play them. Following this, they were expelled from the confederation and spent a few years trying to qualify from such continental bodies as the OFC (Oceania) before officially joining UEFA (Europe).[7]

Israel's last years in the AFC[]

Israel winning the 1964 AFC Asian Cup

Israel competed at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) between 1954 and 1977. 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, and earned two points after a 1–1 draw with Sweden and 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 which was adopted by a vote of 17 to 13 with 6 abstentions.[8] The vote coincided with the 1974 Asian Games, where the football competition was marred by the refusal of both North Korea[9] 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 1972 and 1977, it attempted World Cup qualification as part of Asia, which both times ended in failure.

Years in exile[]

Ronny Rosenthal playing for Israel at the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (Oceania) against New Zealand

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 have won the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC Second Round (Oceania), beating the very last group stage of it (also known as the Second round) consisting of both Australia and New Zealand.

Subsequently, in 1989, 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.

Avram Grant has been the youngest national coach of Israel

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 to no avail, as Israel finished a distant 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.[10]

Home stadium[]

Main articles: Teddy Stadium, Sammy Ofer Stadium, Bloomfield Stadium, Turner Stadium, and Netanya Stadium

In the past, the Israel national football team's home stadium was the Ramat Gan Stadium in the Tel Aviv District city of Ramat Gan. The stadium seats 41,583 and was the first stadium in Israel to meet world-class standards.

Ever since 2014 Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa (30,780 seats), ever since 2015 Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem (34,000 seats), ever since 2018 Turner Stadium in Be'er Sheva (16,126 seats), ever since 2020 Netanya Stadium in Netanya (13,610 seats), and ever since 2021 Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv (29,400 seats); are being used as the official home stadiums of the Israel national football team. All five are considered to be world-class standard stadiums. The Israel Football Association has used Teddy Stadium, Bloomfield Stadium, and Netanya Stadium, while hosting the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Israel.

Teddy Stadium of Jerusalem, Israel's largest stadium
Sammy Ofer Stadium of Haifa, Israel's second largest stadium
Bloomfield Stadium of Tel Aviv, Israel's third largest stadium
Turner Stadium of Be'er Sheva, Israel's newest stadium
Netanya Stadium of Netanya, Israel's second newest stadium

Kit suppliers[]

Kit supplier Origin Period
Diadora Italy 1992–1995
Adidas Germany 2008–2018
Puma Germany 1985–1989, 1996–2008, 2018–present

Results and fixtures[]

Main articles: Israel national football team results (2020–present), Israel national football team results (1990–2019), and Israel national football team results (1934–1989)

  Win   Draw   Loss

2021[]

25 March 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Israel  0–2  Denmark Tel Aviv, Israel
18:00 (19:00 UTC+2) Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
  • Braithwaite Goal 13'
  • Wind Goal 67'
 Stadium: Bloomfield Stadium
Attendance: 5,000[b]
Referee: Craig Pawson (England)
28 March 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Israel  1–1  Scotland Tel Aviv, Israel
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Bloomfield Stadium
Attendance: 5,000[b]
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany)
31 March 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Moldova  1–4  Israel Chișinău, Moldova
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
  • Zahavi Goal 45+2'
  • Solomon Goal 57'
  • Dabbur Goal 64'
  • Natkho Goal 66'
 Stadium: Zimbru Stadium
Attendance: 0[c]
Referee: Bojan Pandžić (Sweden)
5 June 2021 Friendly Montenegro  1–3  Israel Podgorica, Montenegro
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3)
Report
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium
Attendance: 860[12]
Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
9 June 2021 Friendly Portugal  4–0  Israel Lisbon, Portugal
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3)
  • Fernandes Goal 42', 90+1'
  • Ronaldo Goal 44'
  • Cancelo Goal 86'
 Report
Report (UEFA)		 Stadium: Estádio José Alvalade
Attendance: 0[13]
Referee: Jérémie Pignard (France)
1 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Faroe Islands  0–4  Israel Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3) Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
  • Zahavi Goal 14', 44', 90+2'
  • Dabbur Goal 52'
 Stadium: Tórsvøllur
Attendance: 2,666[14]
Referee: Dennis Higler (Netherlands)
4 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Israel  5–2  Austria Haifa, Israel
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Sammy Ofer Stadium
Attendance: 13,550[15][16]
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
7 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Denmark  5–0  Israel Copenhagen, Denmark
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)		 Stadium: Parken Stadium
Attendance: 35,158[17]
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)
9 October 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Scotland  3–2  Israel Glasgow, Scotland
17:00 (19:00 UTC+3)
  • McGinn Goal 30'
  • Dykes Goal 57'
  • McTominay Goal 90+4'
 Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 50,585[18]
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
12 October 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Israel  2–1  Moldova Be'er Sheva, Israel
21:45 (21:45 UTC+3)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Turner Stadium
Attendance: 9,000[19]
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)
12 November 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Austria  4–2  Israel Klagenfurt, Austria
20:45 (21:45 UTC+2)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Wörthersee Stadion
Attendance: 4,300[20]
Referee: Ovidiu Hațegan (Romania)
15 November 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Israel  3–2  Faroe Islands Netanya, Israel
19:45 (21:45 UTC+2)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Netanya Stadium
Attendance: 6,800[21][22]
Referee: Jérôme Brisard (France)

Coaching staff[]

As of 18 March 2021
Position Name
Head coach Austria Willi Ruttensteiner
Assistant coach Israel
Assistant coach Israel Marco Balbul
Assistant coach Israel
Coach Israel
Scout Israel

Coaching history[]

Players[]

Current squad[]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ofir Marciano (1989-10-07) 7 October 1989 (age 32) 34 0 Netherlands Feyenoord
1GK Itamar Nitzan (1987-06-23) 23 June 1987 (age 34) 1 0 Israel Beitar Jerusalem
1GK Daniel Peretz (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 (age 21) 0 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv PRE
2DF Eitan Tibi (vice-captain) (1987-11-16) 16 November 1987 (age 34) 57 1 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva
2DF Eli Dasa (1992-12-03) 3 December 1992 (age 29) 44 0 Netherlands Vitesse
2DF Orel Dgani (1989-01-08) 8 January 1989 (age 32) 21 0 Israel Beitar Jerusalem
2DF Sun Menahem (1993-09-07) 7 September 1993 (age 28) 16 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa
2DF Hatem Abd Elhamed (1991-03-18) 18 March 1991 (age 30) 16 0 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva
2DF Ofri Arad (1998-09-11) 11 September 1998 (age 23) 8 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa
2DF Eyad Abu Abaid (1994-12-31) 31 December 1994 (age 26) 4 0 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva
2DF Shahar Piven (1995-09-21) 21 September 1995 (age 26) 0 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv PRE
3MF Bibras Natkho (captain) (1988-02-18) 18 February 1988 (age 33) 84 3 Serbia Partizan INJ
3MF Nir Bitton (3rd captain) (1991-10-30) 30 October 1991 (age 30) 38 3 Scotland Celtic
3MF Manor Solomon (1999-07-24) 24 July 1999 (age 22) 26 4 Ukraine Shakhtar Donetsk
3MF Dor Peretz (1995-05-17) 17 May 1995 (age 26) 25 4 Italy Venezia
3MF Dolev Haziza (1995-07-05) 5 July 1995 (age 26) 7 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa
3MF Aviv Avraham (1996-03-30) 30 March 1996 (age 25) 1 0 Israel Maccabi Netanya
3MF Gabi Kanichowsky (1997-08-24) 24 August 1997 (age 24) 0 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv PRE
4FW Mu'nas Dabbur (1992-05-14) 14 May 1992 (age 29) 35 13 Germany 1899 Hoffenheim
4FW Shon Weissman (1996-02-14) 14 February 1996 (age 25) 20 2 Spain Valladolid
4FW Liel Abada (2001-10-03) 3 October 2001 (age 20) 5 0 Scotland Celtic
4FW Suf Podgoreanu (2002-01-20) 20 January 2002 (age 19) 2 0 Italy Spezia

Recent call-ups[]

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Ariel Harush (1988-05-25) 25 May 1988 (age 33) 21 0 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva v.  Denmark, 7 September 2021 INJ
GK Boris Klaiman (1990-11-26) 26 November 1990 (age 31) 1 0 Greece Volos v.  Portugal, 9 June 2021
DF (2002-04-26) 26 April 2002 (age 19) 0 0 Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv v.  Austria, 12 November 2021 INJ / PRE
DF Ofir Davidzada (1991-05-05) 5 May 1991 (age 30) 15 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Moldova, 12 October 2021
DF Joel Abu Hanna (1998-01-22) 22 January 1998 (age 23) 6 0 Poland Legia Warsaw v.  Moldova, 12 October 2021 INJ
DF Edi Gotlieb (1992-08-16) 16 August 1992 (age 29) 0 0 Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv v.  Scotland, 9 October 2021 INJ / PRE
DF Idan Nachmias (1997-03-17) 17 March 1997 (age 24) 1 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Scotland, 9 October 2021 INJ
DF Uri Dahan (1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 (age 22) 0 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa v.  Denmark, 7 September 2021 PRE
DF Matan Baltaxa (1995-09-20) 20 September 1995 (age 26) 1 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Portugal, 9 June 2021
DF Or Blorian (2000-03-07) 7 March 2000 (age 21) 0 0 Israel Maccabi Petah Tikva v.  Portugal, 9 June 2021 PRE
DF Loai Taha (1989-11-26) 26 November 1989 (age 32) 13 0 Israel Hapoel Haifa v.  Moldova, 31 March 2021
DF Maor Kandil (1993-11-27) 27 November 1993 (age 28) 2 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Scotland, 28 March 2021 INJ
DF Taleb Tawatha (1992-06-21) 21 June 1992 (age 29) 21 1 Israel Maccabi Haifa v.  Denmark, 25 March 2021 INJ
MF Eyal Golasa (1991-10-07) 7 October 1991 (age 30) 17 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Austria, 12 November 2021 INJ
MF Dan Glazer (1996-09-20) 20 September 1996 (age 25) 11 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Austria, 12 November 2021 INJ
MF Mohammad Abu Fani (1998-04-27) 27 April 1998 (age 23) 11 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa v.  Austria, 12 November 2021 INJ
MF Gadi Kinda (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 27) 5 1 United States Sporting Kansas City v.  Austria, 12 November 2021 INJ
MF Omri Gandelman (2000-05-16) 16 May 2000 (age 21) 1 0 Israel Maccabi Netanya v.  Austria, 12 November 2021 U-21
MF Yonatan Cohen (1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 (age 25) 7 0 Italy Pisa v.  Moldova, 12 October 2021
MF Goni Naor (1999-04-23) 23 April 1999 (age 22) 0 0 Israel Hapoel Jerusalem v.  Moldova, 12 October 2021 PRE
MF Eden Shamir (1995-06-25) 25 June 1995 (age 26) 0 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Moldova, 12 October 2021 PRE
MF Omer Atzili (1993-07-27) 27 July 1993 (age 28) 3 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa v.  Denmark, 7 September 2021 INJ
MF Neta Lavi (1996-08-25) 25 August 1996 (age 25) 9 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa v.  Portugal, 9 June 2021 INJ
MF Aviel Zargari (2002-12-11) 11 December 2002 (age 19) 2 0 Israel Beitar Jerusalem v.  Portugal, 9 June 2021 INJ
MF Beram Kayal (1988-05-02) 2 May 1988 (age 33) 45 2 Israel Bnei Sakhnin v.  Moldova, 31 March 2021 RET
MF Mohammed Kna'an (2000-01-14) 14 January 2000 (age 21) 0 0 Israel Ashdod v.  Denmark, 25 March 2021 PRE
FW Eran Zahavi (1987-07-25) 25 July 1987 (age 34) 70 33 Netherlands PSV v.  Austria, 12 November 2021 INJ
FW Yonas Malede (1999-11-14) 14 November 1999 (age 22) 2 0 Belgium Gent v.  Portugal, 9 June 2021
FW Osama Khalaila (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 (age 23) 1 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Portugal, 9 June 2021
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury or illness
  • COV = Withdrew due to COVID-19
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby
  • RET = Retired from the national team
  • SUS = Serving suspension
  • WD = Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue
  • U-21 = Player withdrew from the squad to play for the national under-21 team

Records[]

Main articles: List of Israel international footballers and Israel national football team records and statistics
As of 9 October 2021[33]
Players in bold are still active with Israel.
Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

Most capped players[]

Yossi Benayoun is Israel's most capped player with 101 caps
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Yossi Benayoun[a] 101 23 1998–2017
2 Tal Ben Haim[d] 95 2 2002–2017
3 Arik Benado 94 0 1995–2007
4 Alon Harazi 88 1 1992–2006
5 Amir Schelach 85 0 1992–2001
6 Bibras Natkho 84 3 2010–present
7 Avi Nimni 80 17 1992–2005
8 Dudu Aouate 78 0 1999–2013
Eyal Berkovic 78 9 1992–2004
10 Tal Banin[e] 77 12 1990–2003

Top goalscorers[]

Eran Zahavi is Israel's top goalscorer with 33 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Eran Zahavi 33 69 0.48 2010–present
2 Mordechai Spiegler[f] 24 57 0.42 1964–1977
3 Ronen Harazi 23 52 0.44 1992–1999
Yossi Benayoun[a] 23 101 0.23 1998–2017
5 Nahum Stelmach[g] 19 45 0.42 1956–1968
6 Alon Mizrahi 17 37 0.46 1971–1981
Tomer Hemed 17 38 0.45 2011–present
Eli Ohana[h] 17 50 0.34 1984–1997
Avi Nimni 17 80 0.21 1992–2005
10 Yehoshua Feigenbaum[i] 15 36 0.42 1966–1977

Competitive record[]

Olympic Games[]

See also: Israel at the 1968 Summer Olympics and Israel at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Olympic Games record
Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA Squad
Finland 1952 Did not enter
Australia 1956
Italy 1960 Did not qualify
Japan 1964
Mexico 1968 Quarter-finals – 4 2 1 1 9 7 Squad
West Germany 1972 Did not qualify
Canada 1976 Quarter-finals – 4 0 3 1 4 7 Squad
Soviet Union 1980 Withdrew
United States 1984 Did not qualify
South Korea 1988
1992 – present Competition played as an Under-23 competition
Total Quarter-finals 2/10 8 2 4 2 13 14 –

FIFA World Cup[]

Main article: Israel at the FIFA World Cup
Israel's FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA Confederation
As  Mandatory Palestine (Eretz Israel) As  Mandatory Palestine (Eretz Israel)
Uruguay 1930 Did not enter Did not enter
Kingdom of Italy 1934 Did not qualify 2nd 2 0 0 2 2 11 CAF/AFC
French Third Republic 1938 2nd 2 0 0 2 1 4 UEFA
As  Israel As  Israel
Fourth Brazilian Republic 1950 Did not qualify 2nd 2 0 0 2 2 11 UEFA
Switzerland 1954 3rd 4 0 0 4 0 5
Sweden 1958 Play-off 2 0 0 2 0 4 CAF/AFC
Chile 1962 Final Round 6 3 1 2 13 14 UEFA
England 1966 3rd 4 0 0 4 1
Mexico 1970 Group stage 12th 3 0 2 1 1 3 Squad Final Round 4 3 1 0 8 1 AFC/OFC
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify Zone A Final 6 4 1 1 12 2
Argentina 1978 First Round 4 2 1 1 5 3
Spain 1982 5th 8 1 3 4 6 10 UEFA
Mexico 1986 2nd 6 3 1 2 17 6 OFC
Italy 1990 Play-off 6 1 4 1 5
United States 1994 6th 10 1 3 6 10 27 UEFA
France 1998 3rd 8 4 1 3 9 7
South Korea Japan 2002 3rd 8 3 3 2 11 7
Germany 2006 3rd 10 4 6 0 15 10
South Africa 2010 4th 10 4 4 2 20 10
Brazil 2014 3rd 10 3 5 2 19 14
Russia 2018 4th 10 4 0 6 10 15
Qatar 2022 3rd 10 5 1 4 23 21
United States Canada Mexico 2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 1/22 Group stage 3 0 2 1 1 3 130 43 35 52 180 180

UEFA European Championship[]

Israel's UEFA European Championship record UEFA European Championship Qualification record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
1960–1992 Not a UEFA member Not a UEFA member
England 1996 Did not qualify 5th 10 3 3 4 13 13
Belgium Netherlands 2000 Play-offs 8 4 1 3 25 9
Portugal 2004 3rd 8 2 3 3 9 11
Austria Switzerland 2008 4th 12 7 2 3 20 12
Poland Ukraine 2012 3rd 10 5 1 4 13 11
France 2016 4th 10 4 1 5 16 14
Europe 2020 Play-offs 11 3 3 5 16 18
Germany 2024 To be determined
Total 69 28 14 27 112 88

UEFA Nations League[]

UEFA Nations League record
Year Division Group Pos Pld W D L GF GA RK P/R
2018–19 C 1 2nd 4 2 0 2 6 5 30 Rise
2020–21 B 2 3rd 6 2 2 2 7 7 25 Same position
2022–23 B To be determined
Total B — 2nd 10 4 2 4 13 12 25 —

Head-to-head record[]

As of 9 June 2021.

  Positive record   Neutral record   Negative record

Honours[]

Winners: 1964
Runners-up: 1956, 1960
Third place: 1968
  • Asian Games
Silver medalists: 1974

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b c Yossi Benayoun also played and scored against Romania B however this was not a full-international match and is therefore not included
  2. ^ a b The Israeli authorities have allowed the attendance of audiences at football matches (up to 5,000 seats), thanks to over 50% of Israel's population who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by then.[11]
  3. ^ The match was played behind closed doors due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
  4. ^ Tal Ben Haim also played against Romania B however this was not a full-international match and is therefore not included
  5. ^ Tal Banin also played against USSR XI however this was not a full-international match and is therefore not included
  6. ^ Mordechai Spiegler also played in 25 matches that are not recognised by FIFA, scoring eight additional goals, however they are not full-international matches and are therefore not included
  7. ^ Nahum Stelmach also played in 19 matches that are not recognised by FIFA, scoring three additional goals, however they are not full-international matches and are therefore not included
  8. ^ Eli Ohana also played a 1984 Olympic qualification game however this was not a full-international match and is therefore not included
  9. ^ Yehoshua Feigenbaum also played in 15 matches that are not recognised by FIFA, scoring nine additional goals, however they are not full-international matches and are therefore not included
  10. ^ Includes matches against  West Germany.
  11. ^ Includes matches against  Soviet Union.
  12. ^ Includes matches against  Yugoslavia and  Serbia and Montenegro.
  13. ^ As  South Vietnam.

References[]

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  3. ^ Mubarak, Hassanin. "Palestine – International Results – Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Statistical Kit: Preliminary Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil" (PDF). FIFA.com. 28 June 2011. p. 53. Retrieved 21 December 2020. 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.
  5. ^ "Site-Map-Israel-Football-Facts—Stats". Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Bayati recalls Iran's tense win over Israel".
  7. ^ Montague, James (27 February 2008). "Time is right for Israel to return to its Asian roots". The Guardian. London.
  8. ^ "Aust-Asian bid fails". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 September 1974. p. 11. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  9. ^ Rahman, Mansoor (14 September 1974). "'Visibles' win without any kick..." New Straits Times. p. 22. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  10. ^ Williams, Richard (19 May 2015). "Why Does Israel's Football Team Play In Europe?". Sky News. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
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