Israel ‘very much hope’ to feature at a future Copa America after signing ‘breakthrough’ agreement with CONMEBOL
- Israel signed a cooperation agreement with CONMEBOL at the body’s congress
- Japan and Qatar are among the countries previously invited to the Copa America
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Isreal have targeted future editions of the Copa America after signing a partnership agreement with CONMEBOL.
The Israel Football Association (IFA) signed the agreement with the South American continental body at the CONMEBOL Congress in Paraguay.
The organization released images on their social media accounts showing IFA president Moshe Zuares signing a deal with CONMEBOL colleague Alejandro Dominguez.
Domínguez had met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year, where greater cooperation was discussed.
“The IFA is proud to join the wonderful CONMEBOL family,” a statement said. ‘Together, for the sake of the game and camaraderie.’
Israel has expressed its hope of appearing in future editions of the Copa America
Israel FA chief Moshe Zuares, left, has signed a cooperation agreement with CONMEBOL
Zuares has suggested that the agreement could pave the way for Israel to participate in future editions of the Copa America.
“This is a particularly exciting, historic moment, an international breakthrough for the Football Association,” Zuares said in a statement.
‘We signed an agreement for cooperation with great powers, world champions, countries where football is a cornerstone, a culture.
“Our true friendship with Alejandro Dominguez, President of Conmebol, has borne wonderful fruits for Israeli football.
‘I always come to such positions with humility and curiosity, and have sufficient confidence in what we as an association and as a country have to offer our partners.
‘We will work hard to translate the promising agreement into a measure that will yield significant results.
“I really hope that the Israeli national team will be part of one of the big tournaments that Conmebol organizes, perhaps the Copa America.”
Israel, like Qatar and Japan, could be invited to participate in the Copa America.
The Israeli men’s national team has never competed in a major tournament since the 1976 Olympics
The Copa America previously featured invited teams, with Qatar and Japan participating
In recent years, the number of CONCACAF countries participating in the tournament has increased.
Israel has been a member of the European governing body UEFA since 1994, after being excluded from the Asian Football Association in 1974. Their exclusion followed a vote by AFC members after several countries refused to play them.
The men’s national team has not played in a major tournament since the 1976 Olympics, but missed out on the 2020 and 2024 European Championships in the play-offs.
UEFA ruled in October that no matches could take place in Israel ‘until further notice’ due to the ongoing war in Gaza.