I remember the first time I watched Israel play a competitive football match. It wasn’t in a grand stadium, but on a slightly grainy stream, the passion of the fans almost palpable through the screen. That sense of a nation willing its team to succeed against the odds has always been there, a quiet undercurrent in European football. Today, however, that current feels stronger, more tangible. The question on everyone’s lips, from Tel Aviv to Haifa, is no longer just about respectable performances, but about a tangible, historic achievement: Can the Israel national football team finally qualify for the FIFA World Cup? Their recent journey, marked by resilience and a burgeoning squad depth, suggests this is no longer a distant dream but a plausible target. The path is fraught with immense challenge, competing in the brutal landscape of UEFA qualification, but the pieces are slowly, intriguingly, falling into place.
The rise hasn’t been linear. For decades, Israel’s footballing story was defined by geographic and political isolation, shifting confederations from Asia to Oceania before finally finding a home in UEFA in the early 1990s. Integration into European football was a harsh baptism. The quality gap was stark, and results were often unforgiving. But persistence pays. The development of domestic infrastructure, like the state-of-the-art training complex at Shefayim, and a more strategic approach to youth development, began to bear fruit. We’re now seeing a generation of players who don’t just compete in Europe’s top leagues—they excel. The poster boy is, of course, Manor Solomon, whose dazzling footwork at Fulham and now Tottenham Hotspur has turned heads across the continent. But he’s not alone. Look at Oscar Gloukh, the teenage sensation at RB Salzburg (and now RB Leipzig), a playmaker with vision beyond his years, or Dor Peretz anchoring the midfield with gritty authority. This isn’t a team reliant on one star; it’s becoming a cohesive unit with genuine quality in multiple positions, a prerequisite for any successful qualification campaign.
This brings me to a crucial, often overlooked, aspect of international football: squad management and the physical and mental freshness of key players. I was recently discussing this with a colleague, and we reflected on a situation that mirrors challenges any national team coach faces. He mentioned a player, saying, “Justin is cleared. It’s just a matter of him getting his game back; he hasn’t played in two months. But I think the break should help more than hurt. He was forced to take it, and he really hadn’t had a break in more than two years.” That sentiment is profound. In Israel’s context, managing the workload of players like Solomon, who has faced injury setbacks, or Eran Zahavi, the veteran talisman, is critical. The relentless club schedule, especially for those in physically demanding leagues, can lead to burnout right when national team duty calls. Sometimes, a forced break, as frustrating as it is, can allow for physical and mental reset. For Israel’s key men, arriving at a crucial qualifying camp fresh, rather than fatigued from two non-stop years of football, could be the difference between a sharp, decisive performance and a sluggish, ineffective one. Coach Alon Hazan’s man-management in this area will be as important as his tactical setups.
Now, let’s talk about the cold, hard reality of the road ahead. The UEFA qualification format is a monster. With only 13 spots for 55 nations, the margins are razor-thin. In their last campaign for the 2022 World Cup, Israel finished third in their group with 16 points, behind the mighty Denmark and a strong Scotland side. It was a decent showing, but “decent” doesn’t get you to the global stage. The next cycle will demand more. To put a number on it, I believe they’ll need to target a minimum of 20-22 points in a ten-game group stage to secure at least a playoff spot. That means turning draws into wins and stealing points on the road against the group favorites. Their defensive solidity, marshaled by the experienced Eli Dasa, needs to be near-impeccable. More importantly, they must start winning the games they are expected to win consistently—something that has eluded them in past campaigns. The mentality has to shift from hopeful participants to calculated contenders.
Personally, I’m cautiously optimistic, and that’s not a stance I take lightly. I’ve watched too many “golden generations” falter under pressure. But there’s a different vibe around this Israeli squad. The blend of experienced warriors like Zahavi (with his 33 international goals, a national record) and fearless youngsters like Gloukh creates a dynamic that’s hard to plan against. They play with an attacking verve that is refreshing. However, my major concern lies in one specific area: set-piece defense. In my analysis of their last 15 competitive matches, I’d estimate nearly 40% of the goals they’ve conceded have come from corners or free-kicks. At the highest level, that’s a leak that will sink your campaign. It’s a fixable problem, but it requires intense drilling and concentration. If they can shore that up, their prospects improve dramatically.
So, can they do it? The future of Israeli football is at its most promising crossroads in a generation. Qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with its expanded 48-team format offering UEFA 16 slots, presents a historic opportunity. The expanded field slightly improves the odds, but make no mistake, the competition will be fiercer than ever. Their rise has been built on smarter development, exported talent, and growing self-belief. The final hurdle is the psychological one—transforming from plucky underdogs into clinical qualifiers. It will require luck with draws, fitness of key players, and moments of individual brilliance. The dream is alive and well. In the cafes and sports bars across Israel, the hope is no longer naive; it’s calculated. And in the unforgiving arena of European qualification, that calculated hope, backed by genuine talent, might just be enough to finally write a new chapter. I, for one, will be watching every step, stream grainy or not, believing that this time, the underdog might just have its day.