Israeli clubs brace for UEFA qualifiers
As July approaches, Israeli football clubs are gearing up for a busy schedule of UEFA qualifying fixtures that will determine their entry into Europe’s premier club competitions.
Hapoel Beersheba, the reigning Israeli champions, have been drawn into the Champions League qualifiers where they will meet the winner of Icelandic side Víkingur Reykjavík and Hungarian outfit ETO Gyor. Because of the security situation at home, the Beersheba side will host its first leg in Szombathely, a town in western Hungary, rather than in the Negev. ETO Gyor previously faced Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 2013/14 Champions League qualifiers, adding a layer of familiarity to the encounter.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, another heavyweight from the Premier League, will enter the Europa League qualifiers against the champion of a playoff between Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova and Slovenia’s Aluminij. Sheriff Tiraspol is remembered for its stunning 2‑1 upset of Real Madrid in the 2021/22 Champions League group stage, and it previously eliminated Beersheba in the 2016/17 Champions League qualifiers, heightening anticipation for the upcoming clash.
In the Conference League, Beitar Jerusalem will face AEK Larnaca of Cyprus, while Hapoel Tel Aviv will take on Bulgarian powerhouse PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. Both Israeli sides have secured spots in the draw after navigating domestic cup competitions, with AEK Larnaca having reached the Conference League Round of 16 in the previous season and Ludogorets boasting a history of success in European tournaments.
Ludogorets, based in Razgrad, Bulgaria, has twice reached the Champions League group stage and fields Israeli defender Idan Nachmias, whose experience could prove decisive when his side meets Hapoel Tel Aviv. The Bulgarian club also counts Per‑Mathias Høgmo among its coaching staff, adding a Nordic touch to its European ambitions.
The upcoming fixtures also spotlight individual storylines. Víkingur Reykjavík, founded in 1908, features former Premier League midfielder Gylfi Sigurðsson, whose creative flair will be a key asset against Beersheba. Aluminij’s recent triumph in the 2025/26 Slovenian Cup has earned them a Europa League qualifying berth, a reward that underscores the competitiveness of the Slovenian league.
Security concerns have reshaped the logistics of several ties. In addition to Beersheba’s matches in Hungary, other Israeli clubs are evaluating travel arrangements and training bases, with some considering temporary bases abroad to mitigate risk. Israeli internationals such as Qays Ghanem, Liam Hermesh, Marcelin Carasso, Jader Asprilla, Ivan Dyulgerov, Bahar Feta, Vid Koderman, Rok Schaubach, Stefanos Evangelou, Amir Saitoski, Yahav Gurfinkel, Omri Altman, Nir Klinger, and Per‑Mathias Høgmo are expected to feature for their respective sides.
Fans and pundits alike are watching closely, as the matches represent not only a sporting challenge but also a test of resilience for Israeli clubs amid regional tensions.