British Mandate Period 1917 to 1948
Israel’s Football connections with the United Kingdom stretch back to the British Mandate in Palestine period. The Israel Football Association was founded in 1929 as “Palestine/Eretz Yisrael” (Land of Israel) and became a full member of FIFA the same year.
The Israel Football League started in 1932 and the first ever Champions were the British Police based in Jerusalem. Israel participated in both the 1934 & 1938 FIFA World Cups playing Egypt and Greece respectively. There was also a friendly match against Lebanon in 1940
Israel’s Re-Establishment in 1948
Israel’s first international game after independence was against The United States in October 1948. Israel was a Founder Member of the Asian Football Confederation and were Champions at both Club and International Levels.
Israel qualified for the 16-Nation 1970 FIFA World Cup Finals in Mexico as Asian representatives, losing to Uruguay and drawing against Sweden and Italy. After the Tournament, Israeli star Mordechai Spiegler was given a trial at English Club West Ham United but was unable to secure a Home Office Work Permit.
In the early 1970’s the Arab & Islamic Nations conspired to evict Israel from the AFC. Israel spent the next two decades unaffiliated with any FIFA Continental Confederation, usually playing its World Cup Qualification matches against Nations from Oceania. In 1994 Israel was admitted to UEFA European Football at both Club and International levels.
England have played four Full International matches against Israel since 1986 with two wins and two draws to the Three Lions.
Premier League Era
The Premier League started in Season 1992-93 and to date 17 Israel Players have featured in the Competition. Currently Tottenham Hotspur’s winger Manor Solomon is the only Israeli Player in the Premier League. Solomon also appeared for Fulham FC last season.
Six Israeli Players have appeared in the Scottish Premier League & Scottish Premiership since 1997.
During the 2023 Summer, Premier League and Republic of Ireland legendary striker Robbie Keane was appointed Manager of Israel Premier League Club Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Following on from the horrific events on 7th October 2023, the Football Association came in for widespread criticism including by the United Kingdom Government for its decision not to light-up the Wembley Stadium Arch with Israel’s colours. The FA subsequently decided to stop lighting the Wembley arch for political and social issues.
After Manor Solomon expressed his anguish after the Hamas attacks on Social Media, his Club Tottenham Hotspur offered their support.
Israel’s Group I home Euro 2024 Qualification matches were switched to the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary and undoubtedly had a negative effect on their results. Nevertheless, Israel managed to make the Path B Play-Offs with the Semi-Final at home to Iceland and if they win, the Final away to either Bosnia & Herzegovina or Ukraine.
The Winner of the Path B Play-Offs has been drawn against Belgium, Slovakia and Romania for the Final Tournament in Germany from 14th June to 14th July 2024
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