Posted on 10/01/2025 3:24:43 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Uefa is expected to avoid trying to block Israel from World Cup qualifying as the European governing body considers measures against the country’s football association.
Under plans being worked out by Uefa that are expected to be voted on by its executive committee (exco) this week, the Guardian understands Israel would be banned only from competitions that Uefa directly controls. That means the Israel men’s and women’s national teams would be excluded from the Nations League and Maccabi Tel Aviv would be removed from the Europa League this season.
The World Cup, however, is a Fifa competition, for which Uefa organises the qualifying format and fixtures within Europe. This is done “in collaboration” with Fifa but only subject to the global governing body’s approval. Acting unilaterally to remove Israel would be a politically complicated decision, and one that appears to have been avoided. In the absence of a wider ban, however, Uefa would be in the unusual position of staging World Cup qualifiers for a country otherwise excluded.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
This’ll bring ‘em out.
Oct 11 - Norway vs. Israel: Norway leads the group by a wide margin.
Estonia vs. Italy - Italy favored.
Oct 14 — Italy vs. Israel - Italy won 5-4 in the previous encounter.
Nov 13 - Moldova vs. Italy - Italy favored.
Nov 16 - Israel vs. Moldova - Israel favored.
Italy vs. Norway - Norway leads the group.
I don’t quite understand the rankings for a wild card. There are 12 groups. The top team in each group gets a bid to the World Cup, then the 12 second place teams plus 4 wild cards compete for the final 4 slots.
Still possible if Israel ties Italy and beat Moldova then they will advance in a playoff game in order to qualify for the World Cup.
Most likely scenario:
Israel beats Italy and Moldova.
Italy beats Estonia and Moldova.
Both teams would be tied with 15 points.
1st tiebreaker is goal differential.
Right now Italy is +5, Israel is +4.
I think it’s impossible for Israel to get a wild card but I’m not sure.
Ouch! Norway beats Israel 5-0. It was only 4-2 in their previous match. Italy plays Estonia later today, and Norway next month.
Israel and Italy play on Tuesday.
Italy beats Estonia 3-1. So Italy is up 3 points on record and up 8 goals on Israel.
Tuesday’s match is a must win for Israel.
The wild card rules do throw me a bit. I gather that the standings can be in great flux.
Italy beats Israel 3-0. Italy is definitely in; Israel’s chances of a wild card are low; maybe impossible.
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