Israel National Football Team
Follow Israel’s football association from its Asian championship to UEFA, with the national team’s World Cup record, notable players, coaches and youth development.
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- How did Israel move from Asian football to UEFA?Israel joined the AFC in 1956, won the 1964 Asian Cup, and left the confederation in 1974 after political disputes. It played regularly in Europe from 1991 and became a full UEFA member in 1994.
- Has Israel ever qualified for the World Cup?Yes. Israel qualified for Mexico 1970, its only World Cup finals appearance, after beating Australia 2–1 on aggregate. It drew with Sweden and Italy and lost to Uruguay in the group stage.
- Who are Israel’s best-known footballers?Mordechai Spiegler scored Israel’s only goal at the 1970 World Cup. Yossi Benayoun became the country’s most-capped player, and goalkeeper Dudu Aouate earned 78 caps during a career that included more than 300 Spanish league appearances.
- Who has coached Israel’s national football team?Emmanuel Scheffer led Israel to its 1970 World Cup finals appearance. Later coaches Shlomo Scharf and Richard Møller Nielsen took Israel through the Euro 2000 and 2002 World Cup qualifying campaigns.
- How does Israel develop young footballers?Young players can gain international experience in Israel’s Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 teams. The IFA’s National Training Centre hosts national squads and serves as the base for its youth academy.