The UEFA World Cup qualifiers kick off on Saturday, March 22, 2025, as Israel faces Estonia at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary. This match is particularly significant as it marks the beginning of Group I play in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The stakes are high as both teams look to secure their place in the tournament, with Israel coming off a recent victory against Belgium where they won 1-0, thanks to a late goal from Yarden Shua in the 86th minute. Israel's head coach Ran Ben Shimon has outlined the importance of building on this success as they enter the qualifiers with their eyes set on returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1970.
In sharp contrast, Estonia is entering this match after a disappointing result against Slovakia, where they lost 1-0 and failed to register a single shot on target. Coach Jurgen Henn is aware that his team needs to improve significantly to make a mark in these qualifiers. Estonia's recent form has been less than stellar, with four losses in their last six matches.
For historical context, Israel and Estonia have not met on the pitch since 2007. In their last encounter during UEFA European Championship qualifiers, Israel won both matches, with scores of 1-0 and 4-0, giving them a psychological edge heading into this matchup. This current qualifier series has Israel as the favorite, recognized for its stronger performance in recent competitions.
The match lineup for Israel features goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, defender E. Dasa (captain), and forward M. Solomon, who has excelled in the championship for Leeds United. Meanwhile, Estonia will rely on their captain K. Hein in goal, while veteran striker Henri Anier approaches his milestone of 100 international caps, vying for a starting role against competition from Alex Tamm.
The kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 3:45 PM ET, and fans can watch the match on Fubo Sports Network. As regional partnerships continue to evolve, both teams must perform to gather valuable points as they compete for a coveted spot in the upcoming World Cup.
As the match nears, both teams are reflecting on their approaches and training sessions leading up to this crucial game. Israel looks to sustain momentum from their performance against Belgium, while Estonia senses a critical need to rebound from prior losses.
If Israel can leverage their past successes and capitalize on the pressure put upon the Estonian squad, they may very well come away as victors once again in this opening bid for World Cup qualification. The excitement and tension surrounding the match are palpable, as fans of both teams eagerly anticipate the unfolding of this international clash.
