Israel national football team
Nickname(s) | התכולים-לבנים (The Skyblue and Whites) הנבחרת (The Chosen Team) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Israel Football Association (IFA) | ||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe; 1980–81; 1991–present) OFC (Oceania; 1985–89) AFC (Asia; 1954–74) | ||
Head coach | Ran Ben Shimon | ||
Captain | Eli Dasa[1] | ||
Most caps | Yossi Benayoun (101)[a] | ||
Top scorer | Eran Zahavi (35) | ||
Home stadium | Various Stadiums | ||
FIFA code | ISR | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 76 5 (28 November 2024)[2] | ||
Highest | 15 (November 2008) | ||
Lowest | 99 (January 2018) | ||
First international | |||
Egypt 5–0 Mandatory Palestine (Cairo, Egypt; 4 April 1930) as the State of Israel: US Olympic Team 3–1 Israel (New York, United States; 26 September 1948) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Israel 9–0 Chinese Taipei (Wellington, New Zealand; 23 March 1988) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Germany 7–1 Israel (Kaiserslautern, Germany; 13 February 2002) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 1970) | ||
Best result | Group stage (1970) | ||
Asian Cup | |||
Appearances | 4 (first in 1956) | ||
Best result | Champions (1964) | ||
Asian Games | |||
Appearances | 2 (first in 1958) | ||
Best result | Silver Medal (1974) | ||
The Israel national football team (Hebrew: נבחרת ישראל בכדורגל, romanized: 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
Early history
Football has a long tradition in Israel. The game was originally introduced during the time of the Ottoman Empire. The Palestine Football Association was formed in August 1928, and joined FIFA in June 1929, but at the time the association was made up of Arab and Jewish clubs as well as clubs of British policemen and soldiers serving in the region during the British Mandate. 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 these 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.[4]
In 1948 the team became the national football team of Israel.[5] 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 independence in 1948.[6] After the 1974 Asian Games in Iran, and Israel's 0–1 tense loss to Iran in the finals,[7] Kuwait and other Muslim and Arab countries refused to play them. Following this, Israel was expelled from the confederation. It tried to join continental bodies such as the OFC (Oceania), before eventually joining UEFA (Europe).[8]
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 its 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, after Kuwait and other Muslim and Arab countries refused to play against it. The proposal was adopted by a vote of 17 to 13 with 6 abstentions.[9][8] The vote coincided with the 1974 Asian Games, where the football competition was marred by the refusal of both North Korea[10] 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.[11]
In 2018, Willi Ruttensteiner was appointed as technical director. A national football academy was founded and three supporting development centers were established.[12]
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.
During the Israel–Hamas war, Israel played most of their home matches in Hungary.
Active stadiums
Matches | Image | Stadium | Capacity | Location | First match | Last match |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
51 | UEFA |
Bloomfield Stadium | 29,400 | Tel Aviv, Israel | 17 May 1964 | 12 September 2023 |
14 | UEFA |
Teddy Stadium | 31,733 | Jerusalem, Israel | 12 February 1992 | 19 June 2023 |
12 | UEFA |
Sammy Ofer Stadium | 30,942 | Haifa, Israel | 16 November 2014 | 2 June 2022 |
9 | UEFA |
Netanya Stadium | 13,610 | Netanya, Israel | 6 February 2013 | 29 March 2022 |
4 | UEFA |
Turner Stadium | 16,126 | Be'er Sheva, Israel | 14 October 2018 | 12 October 2021 |
Inactive stadiums
Matches | Image | Stadium | Capacity | Location | First match | Last match |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
137 | Ramat Gan Stadium | 41,583 | Ramat Gan, Israel | 8 March 1954 | 15 October 2013 | |
3 | Maccabiah Stadium | 20,000 | Tel Aviv, Israel | 30 July 1949 | 28 October 1950 |
Kit suppliers
Kit supplier | Origin | Period |
---|---|---|
Umbro | United Kingdom | 1970 |
Diadora | Italy | 1992–1995 |
Adidas | Germany | 2008–2018 |
Puma | Germany | 1985–1989
1996–2008 2018–2024 |
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2024
21 March 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs | Israel | 1–4 | Iceland | Budapest, Hungary[note 1] |
20:45 | Report |
|
Stadium: Szusza Ferenc Stadion Attendance: 1,226 Referee: Anthony Taylor (England) |
8 June 2024 Friendly | Hungary | 3–0 | Israel | Debrecen, Hungary |
18:00 | Report | Stadium: Nagyerdei Stadion Attendance: 19,900 Referee: Cláudio Pereira (Portugal) |
11 June 2024 Friendly | Belarus | 0–4 | Israel | Budapest, Hungary[note 2] |
18:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Szusza Ferenc Stadion Referee: Tamás Bognár (Hungary) |
6 September 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Belgium | 3–1 | Israel | Debrecen, Hungary[note 3] |
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3) | Report (UEFA) | Stadium: Nagyerdei Stadion Attendance: 0[14][note 3] Referee: Michael Oliver (England) |
9 September 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Israel | 1–2 | Italy | Budapest, Hungary[note 1] |
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3) |
|
Report (UEFA) | Stadium: Bozsik Aréna Attendance: 2,090 Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia) |
10 October 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Israel | 1–4 | France | Budapest, Hungary[note 1] |
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3) |
|
Report (UEFA) | Stadium: Bozsik Aréna Attendance: 2,226 Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Montenegro) |
14 October 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Italy | 4–1 | Israel | Udine, Italy |
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3) |
|
Report (UEFA) |
|
Stadium: Dacia Arena Attendance: 11,700 Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (Spain) |
14 November 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | France | 0–0 | Israel | Saint-Denis, France |
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3) | Report (UEFA) | Stadium: Stade de France Attendance: 16,611 Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany) |
17 November 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Israel | 1–0 | Belgium | Budapest, Hungary[note 1] |
20:45 (21:45 UTC+3) |
|
Report (UEFA) | Stadium: Bozsik Aréna Attendance: 675 Referee: Sebastian Gishamer (Austria) |
Coaching staff
Position | Name |
---|---|
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
Manager | Years as manager | Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF | GA | Win%[19] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Egon Pollak | 1948 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Lajos Hess | 1949 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 33.33 |
László Székely | 1950 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 50.00 |
Jerry Beit haLevi | 1953–54 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0.00 |
Jackie Gibbons | 1956 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 40.00 |
Jerry Beit haLevi | 1957 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0.00 |
Moshe Varon | 1958 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 40.00 |
Gyula Mándi | 1959–63 | 31 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 49 | 63 | 38.71 |
George Ainsley | 1963–64 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 66.67 |
Yosef Merimovich | 1964 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.00 |
Gyula Mándi | 1964 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 100.00 |
Yosef Merimovich | 1964–65 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 33.33 |
Milovan Ćirić | 1965–68 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 15 | 43 | 45 | 32.00 |
Emmanuel Scheffer | 1968–70 | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 44 | 34 | 33.33 |
Edmond Schmilovich | 1970–73 | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 13 | 52.63 |
David Schweitzer | 1973–77 | 36 | 17 | 11 | 8 | 67 | 34 | 47.22 |
Emmanuel Scheffer | 1978–79 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 15 | 38.46 |
Jack Mansell | 1980–81 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 20.00 |
Yosef Merimovich | 1983–86 | 27 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 39 | 36 | 29.63 |
Miljenko Mihić | 1986–88 | 20 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 27 | 35 | 20.00 |
Itzhak Schneor Ya'akov Grundman |
1988–92 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 30 | 27.78 |
Shlomo Scharf | 1992–2000 | 82 | 31 | 18 | 33 | 131 | 118 | 37.80 |
Richard Møller Nielsen | 2000–02 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 29 | 33 | 35.00 |
Avram Grant | 2002–06 | 33 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 55 | 37 | 42.42 |
Dror Kashtan | 2006–10 | 31 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 51 | 30 | 48.39 |
Eli Ohana (caretaker) | 2010 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
Luis Fernández | 2010–11 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 18 | 40.00 |
Eli Guttman | 2011–15 | 29 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 42 | 46 | 27.59 |
Alon Hazan (caretaker) | 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
Elisha Levy | 2016–2017 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 40.00 |
Alon Hazan (caretaker) | 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.00 |
Andi Herzog[20] | 2018–2019 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 29 | 26 | 37.50 |
Willibald Ruttensteiner[21][22] | 2020–7 February 2022 | 19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 33 | 33 | 42.11 |
Gadi Brumer[23] (caretaker) | 17 March 2022 – 29 March 2022 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0.00 |
Alon Hazan[18][24] | 8 May 2022 – 27 March 2024 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 26 | 24 | 41.18 |
Ran Ben Shimon | 23 May 2024 – present | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 50.00 |
Players
Current squad
The following players were called for 2024–25 UEFA Nations, on 14 and 17 November 2024 against France and Belgium; respectively.[25][26]
Caps and goals are correct as of 18 November 2024, after the match against Belgium.[27][28][29][30]
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Israel squad within the last twelve months.[when?]
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Omri Glazer | 11 March 1996 | 17 | 0 | Red Star Belgrade | v. Italy, 14 October 2024 |
GK | Shareef Keouf | 25 June 2001 | 0 | 0 | Maccabi Haifa | v. Italy, 14 October 2024 |
GK | Omer Nir'on | 17 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | Maccabi Netanya | v. Italy, 9 September 2024 |
GK | Gad Amos | 24 December 1988 | 0 | 0 | Maccabi Bnei Reineh | v. Andorra, 21 November 2023 |
DF | Denny Gropper | 16 March 1999 | 8 | 0 | Ludogorets Razgrad | v. Italy, 14 October 2024 |
DF | Matan Baltaxa | 20 September 1995 | 2 | 0 | Hapoel Be'er Sheva | v. Italy, 14 October 2024 |
DF | Roy Revivo | 22 May 2003 | 6 | 0 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | v. Italy, 9 September 2024 |
DF | Ofri Arad | 11 September 1998 | 10 | 0 | Kairat | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
DF | Gil Cohen | 8 November 2000 | 0 | 0 | Beitar Jerusalem | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
DF | Uri Dahan | 7 December 1999 | 0 | 0 | Beitar Jerusalem | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
DF | Ofir Davidzada | 5 May 1991 | 19 | 0 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | v. Iceland, 21 March 2024 |
DF | Miguel Vítor | 30 June 1989 | 12 | 0 | Hapoel Be'er Sheva | v. Iceland, 21 March 2024 |
DF | Stav Lemkin | 2 April 2003 | 3 | 0 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | v. Andorra, 21 November 2023 |
DF | Avishay Cohen | 19 June 1995 | 1 | 0 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | v. Andorra, 21 November 2023 |
MF | Ramzi Safouri | 21 October 1995 | 17 | 1 | Antalyaspor | v. Italy, 14 October 2024 |
MF | Eliel Peretz | 18 November 1996 | 2 | 0 | Hapoel Be'er Sheva | v. Italy, 14 October 2024 |
MF | Neta Lavi | 25 August 1996 | 22 | 0 | Gamba Osaka | v. Italy, 9 September 2024 |
MF | Dan Glazer | 20 September 1996 | 21 | 1 | Pari Nizhny Novgorod | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
MF | Gadi Kinda | 23 March 1994 | 10 | 2 | Maccabi Haifa | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
MF | Mohammed Kna'an | 14 January 2000 | 3 | 1 | Ashdod | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
MF | Roei Gordana | 6 July 1990 | 2 | 0 | Hapoel Be'er Sheva | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
MF | Goni Naor | 23 April 1999 | 2 | 0 | Hapoel Tel Aviv | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
MF | Yoav Hofmayster | 25 December 2000 | 1 | 0 | Korona Kielce | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
MF | Eden Shamir | 25 June 1995 | 1 | 0 | Maccabi Petah Tikva | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
MF | Ofek Bitton | 27 September 1999 | 0 | 0 | Hapoel Jerusalem | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
MF | Ido Shahar | 20 August 2001 | 0 | 0 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | v. Iceland, 21 March 2024 |
MF | Tomer Yosefi | 2 February 1999 | 0 | 0 | Hapoel Be'er Sheva | v. Iceland, 21 March 2024 |
MF | Eden Kartsev | 11 April 2000 | 6 | 0 | Shenzhen Peng City | v. Andorra, 21 November 2023 |
FW | Omri Altman | 23 March 1994 | 2 | 0 | Volos | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
FW | Alon Turgeman | 9 June 1991 | 2 | 0 | Hapoel Be'er Sheva | v. Belarus, 11 June 2024 |
FW | Eran Zahavi | 25 July 1987 | 74 | 35 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | v. Iceland, 21 March 2024 |
FW | Shon Weissman | 14 February 1996 | 33 | 6 | Granada | v. Andorra, 21 November 2023 |
FW | Idan Gorno | 9 August 2004 | 4 | 0 | Crown Legacy | v. Andorra, 21 November 2023 |
INJ Withdrew due to injury or illness |
Records
- As of 18 November 2023.[31]
- Players in bold are still active with Israel.
- Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.
Most capped players
Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yossi Benayoun[a] | 101 | 23 | 1998–2017 |
2 | Tal Ben Haim[b] | 95 | 2 | 2002–2017 |
3 | Arik Benado | 94 | 0 | 1995–2007 |
4 | Alon Harazi | 88 | 1 | 1992–2006 |
Bibras Natcho | 88 | 4 | 2010–2023 | |
6 | Amir Schelach | 85 | 0 | 1992–2001 |
7 | Avi Nimni | 80 | 17 | 1992–2005 |
8 | Eyal Berkovic | 78 | 9 | 1992–2004 |
Dudu Aouate | 78 | 0 | 1999–2013 | |
10 | Tal Banin[c] | 77 | 12 | 1990–2003 |
Top goalscorers
Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Eran Zahavi list) |
35 | 74 | 0.47 | 2010–present |
2 | Mordechai Spiegler[d] | 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[e] | 19 | 45 | 0.42 | 1956–1968 |
6 | Alon Mizrahi | 17 | 37 | 0.46 | 1992–2001 |
Tomer Hemed | 17 | 38 | 0.45 | 2011–2019 | |
Eli Ohana[f] | 17 | 50 | 0.34 | 1984–1997 | |
Avi Nimni | 17 | 80 | 0.21 | 1992–2005 | |
10 | Yehoshua Feigenbaum[g] | 15 | 36 | 0.42 | 1966–1977 |
Mu'nas Dabbur | 15 | 40 | 0.38 | 2014–2022 |
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
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 | As Mandatory Palestine | |||||||||||||||||
1930 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||
1934 | Did not qualify | 2nd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 | Africa/Asia | |||||||||
1938 | 2nd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Europe | ||||||||||
As Israel | As Israel | |||||||||||||||||
1950 | Did not qualify | 2nd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 | Europe | |||||||||
1954 | 3rd | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||||
1958 | Play-off | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | CAF/AFC | ||||||||||
1962 | Final Round | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 14 | UEFA | ||||||||||
1966 | 3rd | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | |||||||||||
1970 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Squad | Final Round | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | AFC/OFC | |
1974 | Did not qualify | Zone A Final | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 2 | ||||||||||
1978 | First round | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | |||||||||||
1982 | 5th | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | UEFA | ||||||||||
1986 | 2nd | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 6 | OFC | ||||||||||
1990 | Play-off | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||
1994 | 6th | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 27 | UEFA | ||||||||||
1998 | 3rd | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 7 | |||||||||||
2002 | 3rd | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 7 | |||||||||||
2006 | 3rd | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 15 | 10 | |||||||||||
2010 | 4th | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 20 | 10 | |||||||||||
2014 | 3rd | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 14 | |||||||||||
2018 | 4th | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 15 | |||||||||||
2022 | 3rd | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 23 | 21 | |||||||||||
2026 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
2030 | ||||||||||||||||||
2034 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | 1/22 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | Final Round | 130 | 43 | 35 | 52 | 180 | 180 | — |
UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Championship record | 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 | |||||||||||||||
1996 | Did not qualify | 5th | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 13 | |||||||||
2000 | Play-offs | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 25 | 9 | ||||||||||
2004 | 3rd | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 11 | ||||||||||
2008 | 4th | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 20 | 12 | ||||||||||
2012 | 3rd | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 11 | ||||||||||
2016 | 4th | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 14 | ||||||||||
2020 | Play-offs | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 18 | ||||||||||
2024 | Play-offs | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 15 | ||||||||||
2028 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
2032 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | — | Play-offs | 80 | 32 | 17 | 31 | 124 | 103 |
UEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League record | |||||||||||||||||||||
League phase | Finals | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | LG | Grp | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | RK | Year | Pos | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | |
2018–19 | C | 1 | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 30th | 2019 | Did not qualify | |||||||||
2020–21 | B | 2 | 2nd | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 25th | 2021 | ||||||||||
2022–23 | B | 2 | 1st | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 17th | 2023 | ||||||||||
2024–25 | A | 2 | 4th | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 13 | TBD | 2025 | ||||||||||
Total | 20 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 26 | 31 | TBD | Total | — |
- *Denotes draws including knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
- **Group stage played home and away. Flag shown represents host nation for the finals stage.
Olympic Games
Olympic Games record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad |
1952 | Did not enter | ||||||||
1956 | |||||||||
1960 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
1964 | |||||||||
1968 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | Squad |
1972 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
1976 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | Squad |
1980 | Withdrew | ||||||||
1984 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
1988 | |||||||||
1992–present | Competition played as an Under-23 competition | ||||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 2/10 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 14 | — |
AFC Asian Cup
+ Israel qualified as hosts but later withdrew. Thailand replaced them later.
|
Asian Games
|
Head-to-head record
- As of 18 November 2024[32]
Positive record Neutral record Negative record
Opponents | Pld | W | D | L |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albania | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
Andorra | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Argentina | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Armenia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Australia | 17 | 3 | 9 | 5 |
Austria | 13 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
Azerbaijan | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Belarus | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
Belgium | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Brazil | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Bulgaria | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Cameroon | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Canada | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Chile | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Chinese Taipei | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
Colombia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Costa Rica | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Croatia | 9 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
Cyprus | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 |
Czech Republic | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Denmark | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
Egypt | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
El Salvador | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
England | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Estonia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Ethiopia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Faroe Islands | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Finland | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
France | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
Georgia | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Germany[h] | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Ghana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Greece | 19 | 3 | 5 | 11 |
Guatemala | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Honduras | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Hong Kong | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Hungary | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Iceland | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
India | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Indonesia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Iran | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Italy | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
Ivory Coast | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Japan | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Kosovo | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Latvia | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Lebanon | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Liechtenstein | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Lithuania | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Luxembourg | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
Malaysia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Malta | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
Mexico | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Moldova | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
Montenegro | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Myanmar | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Netherlands | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
New Zealand | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
North Macedonia | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
Northern Ireland | 10 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
Norway | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Philippines | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Poland | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
Portugal | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Republic of Ireland | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Romania | 24 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
Russia[i] | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
San Marino | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Scotland | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
Serbia[j] | 12 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
Singapore | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Slovakia | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Slovenia | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
South Korea | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
Spain | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Sri Lanka | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Sweden | 12 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
Switzerland | 9 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
Thailand | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Turkey | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
Ukraine | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
United States | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Uruguay | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Uzbekistan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Vietnam [k] | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Wales | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Zambia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
FIFA World Ranking history
This section needs to be updated.(July 2024) |
The following is a chart of yearly averages of Israel's FIFA World Ranking.[33]
Honours
Continental
- Asian Games
- Silver Medal (1): 1974
Summary
Competition | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
AFC Asian Cup | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Asian Games | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
See also
- UEFA European Football Championship
- Israel women's national football team
- Israel national under-23 football team
- Israel national under-21 football team
- Israel national under-20 football team
- Israel national under-19 football team
- Israel national under-18 football team
- Israel national under-17 football team
- Israel national under-16 football team
- Football in Israel
- Sports in Israel
- Israeli Premier League
Notes
- ^ 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
- ^ Tal Ben Haim also played against Romania B however this was not a full-international match and is therefore not included
- ^ Tal Banin also played against USSR XI however this was not a full-international match and is therefore not included
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ Eli Ohana also played a 1984 Olympic qualification game however this was not a full-international match and is therefore not included
- ^ 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
- ^ Includes matches against West Germany.
- ^ Includes matches against Soviet Union.
- ^ Includes matches against Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro.
- ^ As South Vietnam.
- ^ a b c d Due to the Israel–Hamas war, Israel are required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.[13]
- ^ Due to the Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Israel–Hamas war, Belarus and Israel are required to play their home matches at neutral venues and behind closed doors until further notice.
- ^ a b Due to the Israel–Hamas war protests, the Belgium v Israel match was played at a neutral venue and behind closed doors.
References
- ^ "נאתכו: בטוח שהנבחרת תגיע ליורו, אהיה בשווייץ" (in Hebrew). 25 March 2023. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ Mubarak, Hassanin. "Palestine – International Results – Details". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ "Statistical Kit: Preliminary Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil" (PDF). FIFA.com. 28 June 2011. p. 53. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 July 2021. 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.
- ^ "Site-Map-Israel-Football-Facts—Stats". Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
- ^ "Bayati recalls Iran's tense win over Israel". Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ a b Montague, James (27 February 2008). "Time is right for Israel to return to its Asian roots". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Aust-Asian bid fails". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 September 1974. p. 11. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ^ Rahman, Mansoor (14 September 1974). "'Visibles' win without any kick..." New Straits Times. p. 22. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ^ Williams, Richard (19 May 2015). "Why Does Israel's Football Team Play In Europe?". Sky News. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ^ Willi Ruttensteiner ist nicht mehr Teamchef von Israel Archived 3 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine, der Standard, 2022-02-07.
- ^ "European Qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden declared abandoned with half-time result confirmed as final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "Belgium vs. Israel" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Israel Football Association - National A Team - Team Staff". Israel Football Association. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022.
- ^ "ההתאחדודת לכדורגל בישראל - [ - נבחרת ישראל בכדורגל גברים ( בוגרים)] - בעלי תפקידים". Israel Football Association (in Hebrew). 23 May 2024.
- ^ "In national team - Ran Ben Shimon - National A Team - Team Staff". Israel Football Association. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Alon Hazan, football manager". Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ Win% is rounded to two decimal places
- ^ "Andreas Herzog, football manager".
- ^ "Andreas Herzog, football manager".
- ^ "וילי רוטנשטיינר סיים את דרכו כמאמן נבחרת ישראל: "גאה בעשייה שלי"". 7 February 2022. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "ברומר וחרזי יאמנו את נבחרת ישראל - ספורט 5". 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "רשמי: אלון חזן מונה למאמן נבחרת ישראל - ספורט 5". 8 May 2022. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ "Israel Football Association - [seniors National] Team Squad". 29 August 2024.
- ^ "ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל - נבחרת לאומית גברים [בוגרים]" (in Hebrew). 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Israel vs. Belgium - 14 October 2024 - Soccerway".
- ^ "Israel vs Italy, 9 September 2024".
- ^ "Most Israel Caps". Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ "National A Team – Team Squad". Israel Football Association. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Israel – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ "Israel national football team match results". Eu-Football.info.
Only matches from 1934 onwards are included.
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Associations - Israel- Men's". FIFA. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ 1954–74; Asia