Israel national football team

 Israel
Nickname(s) הכחולים-לבנים (The Blue and Whites)
Association Israel Football Association (IFA)
Confederation UEFA (Europe) (1991–present)
OFC (Oceania) (1974–91)
AFC (Asia) (1954–74)
Head coach Elisha Levy
Captain Yossi Benayoun
Most caps Yossi Benayoun (97)[1]
Top scorer Mordechai Spiegler (33)[2]
Home stadium Sammy Ofer Stadium, Haifa
Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem
FIFA code ISR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 76 Steady (5 May 2016)
Highest 15 (November 2008)
Lowest 82 (July 2012)
Elo ranking
Current 57 (9 September 2015)
Highest 23 (4 April 1976)
Lowest 80 (February 1968)
First international
Mandatory Palestine:
 Egypt 7–1 Mandatory Palestine/Eretz Israel Mandatory Palestine
(Cairo, Egypt; 16 March 1934)
Israel:
United States USA 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; 12 February 2002)
World Cup
Appearances 1 (First in 1970)
Best result Group Stage, 1970
AFC Asian Cup
Appearances 4 (First in 1956)
Best result Champions, 1964

The Israel national football team (Hebrew: נבחרת ישראל בכדורגל‎, Nivḥeret Yisra'el BeKhaduregel) is the national football team of Israel, governed by the Israel Football Association (IFA).

Israel's national team is the direct successor of the Mandatory Palestine/Eretz Israel national team, and was managed by the Eretz Israel Football Association. Israel has competed in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in three different confederations, competing in the Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation before settling in Europe as a member of the Union of European Football Associations in 1994.

The Israeli side qualified for their only FIFA World Cup to date in 1970. Israel also hosted and won the AFC Asian Cup in 1964, and was finalist in 1956 and 1960.

History

Football does not have a long and rich 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.

Upon the creation of the State of Israel in May 1948, the IFA became the official association of the new state. The Israel national team's first match as an independent nation was on 26 September 1948, against the USA Olympic Team. The game was won by the USA 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

Israeli team holds the Asian Cup 1964
Nahum Stelmach kicking; 1959

Israel competed in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) between 1954 and 1974. Due to the Arab–Israeli conflict, several Muslim states 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 draws with Sweden and finalist Italy, and a loss to Uruguay.

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 (center) against New Zealand in World Cup qualification 3 March 1989 in Ramat Gan Stadium.

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.[3] The vote coincided with the 1974 Asian Games, where the football competition was marred by the refusal of both North Korea[4] and Kuwait to play second-round matches against Israel.

During the 1980s, it played the majority of its matches against European teams, and competed in the European stage of qualification for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. For the next two tournaments, it entered Oceania's qualification stage. In 1989, Israel made it to the CONMEBOL–OFC play-offs for the 1990 World Cup to play against Colombia, which qualified from the South American group, but lost (1–0, 0–0).

European Football Confederation membership

Yossi Benayoun is Israel's most capped player with 97 caps

In 1991, Israeli clubs began participating in European club competitions, 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 playoffs of UEFA Euro 2000, 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 to final tournament, but finished fourth in Group E, behind group winners Croatia, 1 point behind Russia who also with Croatia qualified direct, as well as equal on 23 points (one less than Russia) from 12 games with England; who failed to advance as did Israel. 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.

Stadium

Main article: Sammy Ofer Stadium
An all-seated roofless stadium with a football pitch.
Sammy Ofer Stadium of Haifa. Israel's newest stadium

In the past, the Israel national football team's home stadium was the national stadium in 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 (30,784 seats) and Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem (34,000 seats) are being used as the home stadiums of the Israel national football team. Both are considered to be world-class standard stadiums. The Israel Football Association has used Teddy stadium while hosting the 2013 Euro U21 championship in Israel. Both stadiums also host matches of the Israel national football team.

Kit suppliers

Israel's kits were supplied by Puma from 1996 to 2008. Adidas took over in September 2008 and have remained Israel's kit suppliers since.

Honours

Winners (1): 1964.
Runners-up (2): 1956, 1960.
2nd Silver medal (1): 1974.

Competition history

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Did Not Enter – – – – – –
Italy 1934 Did Not Qualify
(as Eretz Israel Team)		 2 0 0 2 2 11
France 1938 2 0 0 2 1 4
Brazil 1950 Did Not Qualify 2 0 0 2 2 11
Switzerland 1954 4 0 0 4 0 5
Sweden 1958 2 0 0 2 0 4
Chile 1962 6 3 1 2 13 14
England 1966 4 0 0 4 1 12
Mexico 1970 Group Stage 12th 3 0 2 1 1 3 4 3 1 0 8 1
West Germany 1974 Did Not Qualify 5 3 1 1 5 3
Argentina 1978 5 2 1 1 5 3
Spain 1982 8 1 3 4 6 10
Mexico 1986 6 3 1 2 17 6
Italy 1990 6 1 4 1 5 5
United States 1994 10 1 3 6 10 27
France 1998 8 4 1 3 9 7
South Korea Japan 2002 8 3 3 2 11 7
Germany 2006 10 4 6 0 15 10
South Africa 2010 10 4 4 2 20 10
Brazil 2014 10 3 5 2 19 14
Russia 2018 To Be Determined
Qatar 2022
Total Group Stage 1/20 3 0 2 1 1 3 102 33 29 40 137 149
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.
***Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Olympic record

Olympics Record
Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA
Finland 1952 Did Not Qualify
Australia 1956
Italy 1960
Japan 1964
Mexico 1968 Quarter-finals–420297
Germany 1972 Did Not Qualify
Canada 1976 Quarter-finals–403147
Soviet Union 1980 Withdrew
United States 1984 Did Not Qualify
South Korea 1988
TotalQuarter-finals2/1082331314

Since the 1992 Summer Olympics, the football competition is played as an Under-23 competition

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.
***Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

AFC Asian Cup

AFC Asian Cup record
Year Round Position GP W D* L GS GA
Hong Kong 1956 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 0 1 6 5
South Korea 1960 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 0 1 6 4
Israel 1964 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 5 1
Iran 1968 Third Place 3rd 4 2 0 2 11 5
Thailand 1972 Withdrew
Total Champions 4/15 13 9 0 4 28 15

Israel did not compete in a regional competition between the years 1968 and 1994, although in 1972 they were scheduled to compete in the AFC Asian Cup.

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.
***Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

UEFA European Championship record

UEFA European Championship record UEFA European Championship Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D * L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1960–1992 Did Not Enter
England 1996 Did Not Qualify 10 3 3 4 13 13
Belgium Netherlands 2000 8 4 1 3 25 9
Portugal 2004 8 2 3 3 9 11
Austria Switzerland 2008 12 7 2 3 20 12
Poland Ukraine 2012 10 5 1 4 13 11
France 2016 10 4 1 5 16 14
Total 0/15 48 21 10 17 80 56
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.
***Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

2018 FIFA World Cup

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G

{{2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G table|expanded =yes|fixtures =yes}}

UEFA Euro 2016

UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Belgium Wales Bosnia and Herzegovina Israel Cyprus Andorra
1  Belgium 10 7 2 1 24 5 +19 23 Qualify for final tournament — 0–0 3–1 3–1 5–0 6–0
2  Wales 10 6 3 1 11 4 +7 21 1–0 — 0–0 0–0 2–1 2–0
3  Bosnia and Herzegovina 10 5 2 3 17 12 +5 17 Advance to play-offs 1–1 2–0 — 3–1 1–2 3–0
4  Israel 10 4 1 5 16 14 +2 13 0–1 0–3 3–0 — 1–2 4–0
5  Cyprus 10 4 0 6 16 17 −1 12 0–1 0–1 2–3 1–2 — 5–0
6  Andorra 10 0 0 10 4 36 −32 0 1–4 1–2 0–3 1–4 1–3 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures

      Win       Draw       Loss

2015

2016

2017

Coaching staff

As of 20 April 2016[5]
Position Name Nationality
Head coach Elisha Levy  Israel
Assistant Manager Arik Benado  Israel
Assistant Manager Yossi Abuksis  Israel
Goalkeeper Coach Giora Antman  Israel
Fitness coach Ron Tziblin  Israel
Mental coach Alon Olman  Israel
Business Manager Israel Shchuchinski  Israel
Head Doctor Mark Rosnovsky  Israel

Current squad

The following 24 players were named for the friendly matches against Croatia on March 23, 2016.
Caps and goals updated as of March 23, 2016 after the match against Croatia.
Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ariel Harush (1988-05-25) 25 May 1988 7 0 Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv
1GK Boris Klaiman (1990-10-26) 26 October 1990 1 0 Israel Beitar Jerusalem
1GK David Goresh (1980-02-01) 1 February 1980 0 0 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva
2DF Eitan Tibi (1987-11-16) 16 November 1987 25 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv
2DF Rami Gershon (1988-08-12) 12 August 1988 22 2 Belgium Gent
2DF Taleb Tawatha (1992-06-21) 21 June 1992 5 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa
2DF Shir Tzedek (1989-08-22) 22 August 1989 4 0 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva
2DF Ofir Davidzada (1991-05-05) 5 May 1991 4 0 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva
2DF Eli Dasa (1992-12-03) 3 December 1992 3 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv
2DF Ben Bitton (1991-01-03) 3 January 1991 1 0 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva
3MF Yossi Benayoun (Captain) (1980-05-05) 5 May 1980 97 24 Israel Maccabi Haifa
3MF Lior Refaelov (1986-04-26) 26 April 1986 35 5 Belgium Club Brugge
3MF Eran Zahavi (1987-07-25) 25 July 1987 30 4 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv
3MF Beram Kayal (1988-05-02) 2 May 1988 30 1 England Brighton & Hove Albion
3MF Maor Buzaglo (1988-01-14) 14 January 1988 19 1 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva
3MF Nir Bitton (1991-10-30) 30 October 1991 17 2 Scotland Celtic
3MF Almog Cohen (1988-09-01) 1 September 1988 14 0 Germany FC Ingolstadt 04
3MF Roi Kahat (1992-05-12) 12 May 1992 2 0 Austria Austria Wien
3MF Kenny Saief (1993-12-17) 17 December 1993 1 0 Belgium Gent
4FW Elyaniv Barda (1981-12-15) 15 December 1981 38 12 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva
4FW Tomer Hemed (1987-05-02) 2 May 1987 23 12 England Brighton & Hove Albion
4FW Tal Ben Haim II (1989-08-05) 5 August 1989 18 3 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv
4FW Moanes Dabour (1992-05-14) 14 May 1992 5 1 Switzerland Grasshopper

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Israeli squad on the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Ofir Marciano (1989-10-07) 7 October 1989 10 0 Belgium Mouscron-Péruwelz v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
GK Guy Haimov (1986-02-09) 9 February 1986 1 0 Israel Ironi Kiryat Shmona v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
GK Barak Levi (1993-01-07) 7 January 1993 0 0 Israel Maccabi Netanya v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
DF Tal Ben Haim I (1982-03-31) 31 March 1982 91 2 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 SUS
DF Omri Ben Harush (1990-03-04) 4 March 1990 14 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
DF Eyal Meshumar (1983-08-10) 10 August 1983 10 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa v.  Wales, 6 September 2015 PRE
DF Orel Dgani (1989-01-08) 8 January 1989 8 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
MF Bibras Natkho (1988-02-18) 18 February 1988 41 1 Russia CSKA Moscow v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
MF Gil Vermouth (1985-08-05) 5 August 1985 28 2 Israel Maccabi Haifa v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
MF Maor Melikson (1984-10-30) 30 October 1984 20 3 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 INJ
MF Sheran Yeini (1986-12-08) 8 December 1986 16 0 Netherlands Vitesse Arnhem v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
MF Avi Rikan (1988-09-10) 10 September 1988 4 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
MF Dor Peretz (1995-05-17) 17 May 1995 1 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE
MF Dor Micha (1992-03-02) 2 March 1992 0 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Bosnia and Herzegovina, 12 June 2015 PRE
MF Shlomi Azulay (1990-03-30) 30 March 1990 0 0 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv v.  Bosnia and Herzegovina, 12 June 2015 PRE
FW Ben Sahar (1989-08-10) 10 August 1989 37 6 Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva v.  Wales, 6 September 2015 PRE
FW Itay Shechter (1987-02-22) 22 February 1987 24 5 Israel Beitar Jerusalem v.  Belgium, 31 March 2015 PRE
FW Omer Damari (1989-03-24) 24 March 1989 20 9 Austria Red Bull Salzburg v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 INJ
FW Ahmed Abed (1990-03-30) 30 March 1990 0 0 Israel Ironi Kiryat Shmona v.  Belgium, October 13, 2015 PRE

Previous squads

FIFA World Cup

AFC Asian Cup

Summer Olympics Football Tournament

Player history

Most capped players

Yossi Benayoun is the most capped player in the history of Israel with 97 caps.

As of 23 March 2016, the ten players with the most caps[1] for Israel are:

Rank. Name Career Caps Goals
1 Yossi Benayoun 1998–present 97 24
2 Arik Benado 1995–2007 94 0
3 Tal Ben Haim 2002–present 91 2
4 Alon Harazi 1992–2006 89 2
5 Amir Schelach 1992–2001 85 0
6 Mordechai Spiegler 1963–1977 83 33
Nir Klinger 1987–1997 83 2
8 Avi Nimni 1992–2005 80 17
9 Tal Banin 1990–2003 78 12
Itzhak Shum 1969–1981 78 10
Eyal Berkovic 1992–2004 78 9
Dudu Aouate 1999–2013 78 0

Bold denotes still active players.

Top goalscorers

Mordechai Spiegler is the top scorer in the history of Israel with 33 goals.

As of 23 March 2016, the ten players with the most goals[2] for Israel are:

Rank. Player Career Goals Caps Average
1 Mordechai Spiegler 1963–1977 33 83 0.39
2 Yehoshua Feigenbaum 1966–1977 24 50 0.48
Yossi Benayoun 1998–present 24 97 0.24
4 Ronen Harazi 1992–1999 23 53 0.43
5 Nahum Stelmach 1956–1968 22 61 0.36
6 Gidi Damti 1971–1981 21 69 0.30
7 Giora Spiegel 1965–1980 18 44 0.40
Yehoshua Glazer 1949–1961 18 35 0.51
9 Eli Ohana 1984–1997 17 51 0.33
Avi Nimni 1992–2005 17 80 0.21

Bold denotes still active players.

Managers

Manager Years as manager Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF GA Win%[6]
Austria Egon Pollak 1948 1 0 0 1 0 1 00.00
Austria Israel Lajos Hess 1949 3 1 0 2 5 12 33.33
Hungary Vladislav Scali 1950 2 1 0 1 7 4 50.00
Israel Jerry Beit haLevi 1953–54 5 0 0 5 1 7 00.00
England Jack Gibbons 1956 5 2 0 3 7 12 40.00
Israel Jerry Beit haLevi 1957 1 0 0 1 4 5 00.00
Israel Moshe Varon 1958 5 2 0 3 6 7 40.00
Hungary Gyula Mándi 1959–63 31 12 7 12 49 63 38.71
England George Ainsley 1963–64 3 2 0 1 4 2 66.67
Israel Yosef Merimovich 1964 1 0 0 1 0 4 00.00
Hungary Gyula Mándi 1964 3 3 0 0 5 1 100.000
Israel Yosef Merimovich 1964–65 3 1 0 2 2 2 33.33
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Milovan Ćirić 1965–68 25 8 2 15 43 45 32.00
Israel Emmanuel Scheffer 1968–70 24 8 8 8 44 34 33.33
Romania Israel Edmond Schmilovich 1970–73 19 10 4 5 27 13 52.63
Israel David Schweitzer 1973–77 36 17 11 8 67 34 47.22
Israel Emmanuel Scheffer 1978–79 13 5 4 4 17 15 38.46
England Jack Mansell 1980–81 10 2 3 5 8 12 20.00
Israel Yosef Merimovich 1983–86 27 8 9 10 39 36 29.63
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Miljenko Mihić 1986–88 20 4 5 11 27 35 20.00
Israel Itzhak Schneor
Israel Ya'akov Grundman		 1988–92 18 5 5 8 21 30 27.78
Israel Shlomo Scharf 1992–2000 82 31 18 33 131 118 37.80
Denmark Richard Møller Nielsen 2000–02 20 7 4 9 29 33 35.00
Israel Avram Grant 2002–06 33 14 13 6 55 37 42.42
Israel Dror Kashtan 2006–10 31 15 10 6 51 30 48.39
Israel Eli Ohana (caretaker) 2010 1 1 0 0 2 0 100.000
France Spain Luis Fernández 2010–11 15 6 1 8 12 18 40.00
Israel Eli Guttman 2011–15 29 8 7 14 42 46 27.59
Israel Alon Hazan (caretaker) 2016 1 0 0 1 0 2 00.00
Israel Elisha Levy 2016– 0 0 0 0 0 0 !—

WDL Record since 1948

Team From To Record
PWDLWin %
Israel 1948 2016 467 173 111 183 37.04

See also

Notes

    References

    1. 1 2 National Team Appearances list
    2. 1 2 National Team Goalscorers list
    3. ↑ "Aust-Asian bid fails". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1974-09-16. p. 11. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
    4. ↑ Rahman, Mansoor (1974-09-14). "'Visibles' win without any kick...". New Straits Times. p. 22. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
    5. ↑ "National team staff". Israel Football Association. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
    6. ↑ Win% is rounded to two decimal places

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