soccer games today

The question of whether the Israeli national football team will finally break its long-standing drought and qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is one that has been simmering in my mind, and I suspect in the minds of many fans and analysts, for some time now. As someone who has followed their journey through multiple qualifying cycles, the mix of hope and frustration is a familiar feeling. The expansion of the tournament to 48 teams undoubtedly changes the calculus, offering a more tangible path than ever before. But a larger berth doesn't guarantee passage; it merely widens the door. Israel's quest will hinge on a complex interplay of factors, some within their control and others dictated by the brutal realities of international football. The road to 2026 is already being paved, and every decision, every player's form, and every tactical shift will be scrutinized under this singular, monumental goal.

Let's start with the most critical element: the squad itself. There's a palpable sense that this might be the most talented generation Israel has produced in decades. The emergence of players like Manor Solomon, who has shown flashes of brilliance at Tottenham, and the steady presence of Eran Zahavi, a goal-scoring machine at the international level with over 35 goals for his country, provides a core that previous cycles lacked. But talent alone isn't enough; it's about cohesion and, crucially, availability. I'm reminded of a situation I observed recently in club football, which feels oddly analogous. A manager was discussing his star player's return from injury, saying, "He's 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 resonates deeply here. Key Israeli players often ply their trade across Europe, facing grueling club schedules. A forced break, while initially a setback, can sometimes offer a hidden benefit—a chance for physical and mental reset. Managing the fitness and peak conditioning of players like Solomon or Dor Peretz during the long qualifying marathon, ensuring they are "cleared" and ready for the crucial double-headers, will be paramount. The national team staff must become masters of load management, turning potential setbacks into strategic refreshes.

However, the tactical approach under manager Alon Hazan will be just as decisive. Historically, Israel has often been a tough, organized side that can frustrate opponents, but they've sometimes lacked the cutting edge or tactical bravery to seize games against direct rivals for qualification. With the attacking tools now at their disposal, I personally believe a shift towards a more proactive, possession-based style could yield better results. Sitting back and hoping for a draw against the likes of Switzerland or Romania, teams they'll likely need to outperform, simply won't suffice. The data from their recent Nations League campaign, where they secured promotion to League A, showed promising signs—averaging around 55% possession and creating 12.5 chances per game. That's the kind of assertive football they need to replicate. But it's a high-wire act; commit too many men forward and they risk being exposed on the counter, a classic pitfall for ambitious smaller nations. Hazan's ability to find that balance, to instill a system that maximizes their technical players while remaining defensively robust, is the great unknown. From my perspective, he needs to be bold. The expanded World Cup format is an invitation to be bold.

Then there's the immense factor of geopolitics and the draw. FIFA's ongoing confederation adjustments mean Israel continues to compete in UEFA, arguably the most difficult qualifying continent. The draw, scheduled for late 2025, will be a moment of supreme tension. A favorable group, avoiding two or three absolute European powerhouses, is almost a prerequisite. Imagine a group with, say, Denmark, Israel, Norway, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Estonia. That feels navigable. Now imagine one with France, the Netherlands, and Israel. The dream would be over before it started. While we can't predict the draw, we can acknowledge its outsized influence. Furthermore, the unique pressure of representing Israel on the global stage, with every match carrying weight beyond the pitch, is a psychological factor other teams don't face. This team must be mentally unshakeable, turning that pressure into a unifying force rather than a burden. I've always admired how they've generally managed this, but in the cauldron of a winner-take-all final qualifier, that mental fortitude will be tested like never before.

So, what's my prediction? It's a question I've wrestled with. The pragmatic part of me looks at history—they've never qualified for a World Cup since joining UEFA—and the enduring strength of European football, and advises caution. But the analyst in me, looking at the squad depth, the expanded format offering 16 European slots, and the clear upward trajectory, feels a cautious optimism. The key, in my view, will be their performance in the 2024-25 Nations League. A strong showing in League A would not only boost confidence but could secure a more favorable seeding for the World Cup draw. They need to target a minimum of, say, 22 points from a hypothetical 10-game qualifying group. That's a tall order, but not an impossible one. Ultimately, I think they will come agonizingly close. I predict they will finish in a playoff position, perhaps third in their group. From there, it's a lottery of a single match or a short playoff path. My heart says they find a way, breaking the hex in dramatic fashion. My head says they fall just short, perhaps in a penalty shootout, adding another layer of what-could-have-been to their story. The difference between those two outcomes will come down to moments: a star player finding his "game back" at the perfect time, a tactical gamble from Hazan that pays off, or a kind bounce of the ball in a packed Bloomfield Stadium. The 2026 campaign is Israel's greatest opportunity in a generation, and I, for one, will be watching every minute, hoping this is finally the time.