Watching the Israel national football team evolve over the past few years has been one of the more quietly fascinating narratives in international football. For a nation where the sport often lives in the shadow of more established regional powers and its own complex geopolitical context, the recent rise feels both hard-earned and significant. It’s not just about qualifying for a major tournament—though that remains the ultimate goal—but about building a cohesive, competitive identity that commands respect. This ascent is built on the shoulders of key players who’ve carved out impressive careers abroad, and a recent string of results that suggests this isn’t a fluke. Let me explain what I think is driving this change, and why I believe they’re closer than ever to a major breakthrough.

The foundation of any national team’s success is individual talent, and Israel’s current generation boasts players operating at a level we haven’t seen before. Take Manor Solomon, for instance. His move to Tottenham Hotspur, despite a challenging season hampered by injury, signals a player of top-tier potential. His agility and direct dribbling offer a creative spark that can unlock defenses. Then there’s Oscar Gloukh, the teenage sensation at RB Salzburg. I’ve been particularly impressed with his composure; for a player so young, his vision and technical security in midfield are exceptional. He’s the kind of prospect around whom you can build a team for the next decade. But for me, the most crucial figure is Eran Zahavi. Even at 36, his goal-scoring instinct remains razor-sharp. His experience in China and now with Maccabi Tel Aviv provides a priceless finishing touch and leadership in the squad. These players form a core that blends youthful exuberance with veteran savvy, a combination that’s proving potent.

This brings me to a point about squad depth and resilience, something highlighted by a situation I followed closely involving a key player. I remember reading comments from a coach about a star returning from injury, something like, “Justin is 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 when I look at Israel’s campaign. They’ve had to navigate injuries and absences, but it often feels like the forced rotations have unearthed new options and allowed others to rest and return hungrier. The demanding schedule of modern football is brutal, and sometimes a mandated pause, as frustrating as it is, can prevent burnout and lead to a stronger comeback. I’ve seen this dynamic play out in their squad management, keeping the group fresh and competitive.

Now, let’s talk achievements, because this is where the narrative solidifies. Their performance in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League was a statement. Winning League B Group 2 with an unbeaten record—five wins and one draw, scoring 17 goals and conceding only 7—was dominant. It wasn’t just scraping through; it was convincing football that earned promotion to League A for the first time ever. That’s historic. It means they’ll now regularly face Europe’s elite like Spain, Italy, and Croatia. This exposure is invaluable. Furthermore, their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, while ultimately falling short, showed tremendous grit. Finishing third in a group with Romania, Switzerland, and Kosovo, and securing a playoff spot via the Nations League pathway, demonstrated they can compete. They narrowly lost the playoff semifinal 3-2 to Iceland in a heartbreaking extra-time finish, a game I believe they could have won on another day. That near-miss, rather than demoralizing them, seems to have fueled a determination.

From my perspective, the tactical approach under manager Alon Hazan has been smart. They’re not trying to out-possess the very best teams; instead, they’re organized, disciplined in a mid-block, and devastatingly quick on the counter-attack. They leverage the pace of Solomon and the intelligence of Gloukh to transition rapidly, with Zahavi as the focal point. It’s a pragmatic and effective style for a team on the rise. The numbers back this up: in their last 18 competitive matches, they’ve lost only four, winning nearly 65% of them. Their average of 1.9 goals per game in that span is a marked improvement from previous cycles.

So, where does this leave us? The rise of the Israel football team is a multifaceted story. It’s about a golden generation of technical players reaching their peak in strong European leagues. It’s about strategic management that turns setbacks into opportunities for depth-building. And it’s about tangible, historic results like Nations League promotion that provide a platform for greater challenges. They are no longer a pushover or an unknown quantity. Competing in League A will be their toughest test yet, but it’s the exact crucible they need. I’m optimistic about their chances for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The momentum is there, the talent is there, and perhaps most importantly, the belief is now there. They’ve shown they belong at a higher level, and I, for one, am excited to watch them prove it.