Israel national under-21 football team


Israel's national Under-21 team is considered to be the feeder team for the Israel national football team. It has recently qualified for the European Championships to be held in the Netherlands after beating the French under-21 team 2–1 on aggregate.
This team consists of Israeli players aged 21 or under at the start of each two-year UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship campaign, so players can be, and often are, up to 23 years old. Team members may also simultaneously qualify to various teams for Under-20s, Under-19s and Under 17s, or even the senior national team, so long as the meet the respective age restriction. It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level.
The U-21 team has been constructed, following the Israel's acceptance as a full member of UEFA. A draw in a qualifier against Greece in Greece was Israel U-21s' first result.
Israel U-21s do not have a permanent home. They play in stadia dotted all around Israel in an attempt to encourage fans in all areas of the country to get behind Israel. Because of the lack of appeal compared to the senior national team, smaller grounds are used.

Competition History

There is no Under-21 World Cup, although there is an Under-20 World Cup. European U-21 teams compete for the European Championship, with the finals every even-numbered year. It will be held in odd-numbered years from 2007. Israel has never fared well in European Under-21 Football Championships.
The current campaign started shortly after the 2006 finals - the qualification stage of the 2007 competition. UEFA have decided to shift the next tournament forward to avoid a clash with senior tournaments taking place in even-numbered years. The competition has therefore been reduced as qualifying must be completed in a year's less time. In their three-team qualification group, Israel finished ahead of Turkey and Wales. In the two-legged play-off against France for a place in the final stage, the team achieved a surprising 1–1 draw in France and won the home match 1–0, with Amir Taga scoring in stoppage time.
Note: The year of the tournament represents the year in which it ends.

Competitive Record

UEFA [European Under-21 Championship Record">UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship">UEFA [European Under-21 Championship Record]

YearRoundGPWD*LGSGA
1992Qualifying Stage6320173
1994Qualifying Stage103161716
1996Qualifying Stage103341211
1998Qualifying Stage8521179
2000Qualifying Stage8224613
2002Qualifying Stage84041613
2004Qualifying Stage8314611
2006Qualifying Stage8431117
2007Group Stage511338
2009Qualification Playoffs8521165
2011Qualifying Stage8512188
2013Group Stage311136
2015Qualifying Stage85032215
2017Qualifying Stage10631214
2019TBA------
Total2/1488391834146106

Players

Top Appearances

Note: Club represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s.

Top Goalscorers

Note: Club represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s.

2021 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship

2021 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 6

Coaching staff

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Montenegro on 14 November 2019.
The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months: