Israel faces a challenging path in the World Cup qualifiers, especially with strong teams like Germany and Italy in their group.
The overlap of the Nations League and World Cup qualifiers creates uncertainty for teams like France, impacting their preparation and strategy.
The introduction of 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup increases the stakes, as more European nations will compete for qualification.
Israel may struggle to secure a top position in their group given the strength of their opponents, particularly Germany and Italy.
France's qualification strategy will heavily depend on their performance against Croatia, influencing their group dynamics for the World Cup qualifiers.
Norway could emerge as a dark horse in the qualifiers, leveraging their talented squad to challenge for a top spot.
The Israeli national football team has been drawn into Group N for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, facing formidable opponents including Germany, Italy, Norway, Estonia, and Moldova. The competition will commence in March 2024, with the top team automatically qualifying for the World Cup, while the second-placed team will enter the playoffs. Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, and Italy, also a four-time champion, pose significant challenges for Israel, which has struggled against these teams in past encounters. Norway, featuring stars like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, adds to the competitive landscape, while Estonia and Moldova are seen as less formidable opponents based on historical performance. Meanwhile, the French national team is navigating a complex qualification process for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The outcome of their matches against Croatia in the Nations League will determine their group placement and future opponents in the qualifiers.
