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Israel’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign ended this week with a commanding 4-1 victory over Moldova, a result that secured a respectable third place in Group I but was not enough to advance.
The blue-and-white concluded the competition with four wins and four losses, finishing behind Norway and Italy, who claimed the group’s automatic and playoff spots.
Norway dominated the group with a flawless 32-point performance, while Italy, despite several tense contests, secured second place. Israel stood firm in many matches but fell short in key defensive moments that ultimately determined its fate.
Head coach Ran Ben Shimon, who entered the campaign promising a more dynamic and entertaining brand of football, reflected on the mixed results.
While the team delivered on attacking flair, its defensive shortcomings were glaring. Israel conceded an average of 2.5 goals per match—its highest rate in a European qualifying campaign since the early 1990s. The low point came in October, when Israel suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to Norway.
The loss exposed structural issues at the back, raising concerns about the team’s readiness for future elite competition. Ben Shimon acknowledged that defensive discipline must improve if Israel hopes to qualify for the 2028 European Championship, set to be co-hosted by the UK and Ireland.
Still, the coach preferred to end the campaign on a positive note, praising his players’ approach in the final win over Moldova.
“If you take care of yourself and don’t let the opponent control the game, you’ll eventually find a way to score,” he said after the match. “It was important that we finish well and maintain our seriousness even when the stakes were no longer decisive.”
Ben Shimon also stressed accountability, noting that the harshest criticism comes from within the staff itself. He highlighted the squad’s commitment in games perceived as less critical, such as the fixtures against Lithuania and Moldova, saying the players approached them with professionalism and pride.
One of the most memorable moments of the campaign came during the dramatic 5-4 loss to Italy. The match featured nine goals and wild swings in momentum. After trailing 4-2 late, Israel clawed back to 4-4 thanks to an own goal and a brilliant equalizer by Dor Peretz. But Italy snatched victory moments later through Sandro Tonali’s long-range strike.
“We were no worse than Italy,” Ben Shimon insisted. “We lost because of small mistakes. The next step is learning how to win these types of matches.”
Beyond the results, Ben Shimon emphasized the growing connection between the national team and the Israeli public. He described the squad as “genuine” and said the support around the country energizes the players ahead of future challenges. Home matches, he believes, will play an essential role in the team’s next phase.
He underlined that progress will not come from individual brilliance but from collective cohesion. “There isn’t one person or chairman or player who will lead us to achievement,” he said. “We need to move forward together. It may be slower, but it’s the safest way.”
Several players stood out during the qualifiers—among them Manor Solomon, Dan Bitton, Dor Peretz, and Eliel Peretz—but Ben Shimon avoided singling out individuals. His message remained consistent: success will come only through unity.
“I’m the biggest believer in this national team,” he concluded. “We will reach a major tournament. We need to stay together as a team, and then we can achieve great things.”
With Euro 2028 qualification on the horizon, Israel now enters a critical rebuilding period—one marked by optimism, ambition, and a renewed determination to fix the defensive vulnerabilities that held it back this time.