Israel ‘really hopes’ to participate in future Copa America after signing ‘groundbreaking’ deal with CONMEBOL
- Israel signs cooperation agreement with CONMEBOL during the organization’s congress
- Japan and Qatar are among the nations previously invited to the Copa America
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Isreal have targeted their participation in future editions of the Copa America after signing a cooperation agreement with CONMEBOL.
The Israel Football Federation (IFA) signed the agreement with the South American continental body during the CONMEBOL congress in Paraguay.
The organization posted images on its social media accounts showing IFA President Moshe Zuares signing an agreement with his CONMEBOL counterpart Alejandro Dominguez.
Domínguez met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year, where increased cooperation was discussed.
“The IFA is proud to join the magnificent CONMEBOL family,” we read in a press release. “Together, for the good of the room and the camaraderie.”
Israel expressed its hope of appearing in future editions of the Copa America
Israeli FA head Moshe Zuares, left, signs a cooperation agreement with CONMEBOL
Zuares suggested the agreement could pave the way for Israel’s participation in future editions of the Copa America.
“This is a particularly exciting historic moment, an international breakthrough for the Football Federation,” Zuares said in a statement.
“We signed a cooperation agreement with giant powers, world champions, countries where football is a cornerstone, a culture.
“Our true friendship with Alejandro Dominguez, president of Conmebol, has given rise to wonderful fruits for Israeli football.
“I always come to these positions with humility and curiosity to learn, and confident enough in what we have as an association and as a country to offer our partners.
“We will work hard to translate this promising agreement into a measure that will produce meaningful results.
“I really hope that the Israeli national team will be part of one of the major tournaments organized by Conmebol, maybe the Copa America.”
Israel could follow the example of Qatar and Japan by being invited to participate in the Copa America.
The Israel men’s national team has yet to compete in a major tournament since the 1976 Olympics
The Copa America has already featured invited teams, with the participation of Qatar and Japan.
In recent years, the number of CONCACAF nations participating in the tournament has increased.
Israel has been a member of UEFA, the European governing body, since 1994, after being excluded from the Asian Football Confederation in 1974. Its exclusion followed a vote by AFC members after several nations refused to play against them.
The men’s national team has not competed in a major tournament since the 1976 Olympics, but missed out on Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 in the play-offs.
UEFA decided in October that no matches could take place in Israel “until further notice” amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
