1970 FIFA World Cup Qualification (AFC and OFC)

Israel was then a member of the Asian Football Confederation.[1] It had been excluded from its natural regional football surroundings and consequently traveled across East Asia, Oceania, and Europe for World Cup qualifying matches.[2] The circumstances surrounding its participation in the 1970 tournament were politically complex.[1]

North Korea was drawn to face Israel in qualifying but declined to play and withdrew from the tournament.[1] The withdrawal has been linked to North Korea’s unwillingness to face Israel and, in one account, to the absence of diplomatic relations; the available sources do not include a primary North Korean statement explaining the decision.[3] North Korea entered the draw four years after reaching the 1966 World Cup quarter-finals, where it eliminated Italy.[3]

Rhodesia also sought entry to the tournament. The UK Foreign Office objected, while FIFA secretary Sir Stanley Rous supported Rhodesia’s participation and worked to secure a place in qualifying; the Foreign Office ultimately decided not to intervene.[4]

Following North Korea’s withdrawal, Israel played New Zealand twice at Ramat Gan, winning 4–0 and 2–0 in matches held three days apart.[1][5] The victories set up the decisive tie with Australia.[5]

Australia reached the tie with Israel after facing South Korea, Japan, and Rhodesia in qualifying.[3] Rhodesia was placed in “Asia Group 15a” for a two-legged contest against Australia. Both matches ended in draws, after which Australia won a playoff 3–1.[4] Australia’s last match against Rhodesia was played in Mozambique five days before its first match against Israel.[3]

Israel and Australia met first at Ramat Gan on 4 December 1969. In front of 45,000 spectators, Giora Spiegel scored from a free kick in the 17th minute and missed a penalty in the 69th. Israel won 1–0.[6] The return match took place in Sydney on 14 December and ended 1–1, with Mordechai “Motele” Spiegler scoring for Israel. The aggregate result sent Israel to the finals.[6]

The journey to Sydney was demanding. Israel’s route included Tehran, Bombay, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Darwin. Former player Yohanan Wallach recalled sharply contrasting temperatures along the way and said the team arrived exhausted; coach Emanuel Schaffer nevertheless scheduled training that afternoon.[6]

Israel qualified for the 1970 finals in Mexico and made its World Cup debut.[1] It remains Israel’s only appearance in the tournament.[2][7] The finals featured 16 teams; Israel drew with Italy and Sweden and was eliminated in the first round.[7]

The campaign’s regional and political setting also shaped how the achievement was received. The qualification was met with embarrassment and was largely ignored in the Arab world.[2] A Yemeni commemorative stamp sheet mistakenly printed Israel’s name on two stamps alongside those of other participating countries, after which a black stripe was used to cover the name.[2]

Israel later left the Asian Football Federation and became a member of UEFA.[4]

Published retrospectives use different scopes when counting the qualification matches. Walla counts four for Israel—the two New Zealand games and the two Australia games—and nine for Australia, including its tie against Israel.[3] Sport1 says Israel played only two matches, both at home, even though the same account recounts the 1–1 return match in Sydney. It gives Australia seven matches before the Israel tie.[8] The Australian totals can therefore be reconciled as pre-tie and overall counts, while Sport1’s description of Israel’s total is internally inconsistent.

The qualification remains the route by which Israel reached its sole World Cup finals appearance.[2][7] Its significance rests not only on the wins over New Zealand and Australia, but also on the unusual regional path and political circumstances surrounding the campaign.[2][1] The 1–0 home victory and 1–1 draw in Sydney secured Israel’s place in Mexico, where the team made its World Cup debut.[1][6]