Budapest, Hungary – On Saturday, March 22, at 7:45 PM UK time, Israel go face Estonia for FIFA World Cup qualifier wey go take place for Nagyerdei Stadion. The match dey come as both countries start their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
Na Group I dem belong, together with Norway, Moldova, and the loser of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final phase between Germany and Italy. As e be, both teams don already face serious issues for the pitch as tensions rise, especially with the ongoing conflict wey dey happen for Gaza.
Israel just come back from relegation wey dem suffer for UEFA Nations League last year. Dem play for a tough group wey get France, Italy, and Belgium. Although dem finish bottom of the table, Israel sabi get some good form lately. The Sky-Blue and Whites hold France 0-0 for Paris and shockingly defeat Belgium 1-0 in their last match.
Now, with FIFA ranking wey put dem 76th, Israel dey plan to start strong for this qualifier. Na only once dem don qualify for World Cup, back in 1970, but dem don finish third in the group five times from the last eight UEFA qualification campaigns.
Since the conflict, Israel dey host their home matches for Hungary. For their six latest games there, dem win one, draw one, and lose four. Dis recent record dey make dem eager to perform better, especially with their upcoming matches against Estonia and Norway.
Estonia, on their own, dey try to turn their fortunes around. After dem endure 10 consecutive matches without win in 2023, dem manage to win three out of twelve games for 2024, including two wins for the Baltic Cup, wey dem won after a penalty shootout against Lithuania.
Despite avoiding relegation from Nations League, Estonia’s campaign no end well as dem only manage to collect one point and no score for the last three games against Sweden, Azerbaijan, and Slovakia.
Currently, Estonia dey ranked 123rd in the world by FIFA, and dem never qualify for any major tournament in their history. This qualification campaign dey their chance to rewrite the narrative, especially as dem prepare for back-to-back away matches against Israel and Moldova.
Israel’s squad no dey complete as some key players don withdraw due to injury, including their goalkeeper. After missing previous matches, one player dey return to the team and go fit start for left-back position. Young talents and established stars, including one player wey dey play for Leeds United wey don score seven goals this season, go likely start for Israel’s frontline.
For Estonia, their 34-year-old forward wey dey play for Hong Kong club Lee Man FC wey dey celebrate him 100th international cap, dey ready to lead the attack, but e go face competition from younger players wey dey try to establish themselves.
Historically, Israel don dey beat Estonia twice, with five goals in their previous encounters. With Estonia dey struggle offensively, their road to success for this match go depend heavily on how dem fit improve for their defense and attack. If dem manage that, dem fit give Israel a hot fight for the match,” said a sports analyst.
