Israel defeats Estonia 3-1 in 2026 World Cup qualifier

Israeli national soccer team now in second place in its qualifying group for next year’s tournament in North America

By ToI Staff and Agencies 7 June 2025, 3:48 am

Edit

Israel's Dan Biton, second from right, scores his side's opening goal during the World Cup 2026 group I qualifying soccer match between Estonia and Israel at the A. Le Coq Arena stadium in Tallinn, Estonia, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Israel’s national soccer team beat Estonia 3-1 on Friday, advancing to second place in its qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup.

Estonia scored first in the game in Tallinn, before Dan Biton put in a goal minutes later to tie it up for Israel 1-1 going into halftime.

Biton scored again minutes into the second half to give Israel a 2-1 lead, which it would later expand to 3-1 on a penalty kick by Mohammad Abu Fani.

With the victory, Israel now has six points in Group I, putting it in second place behind Norway with nine points, which defeated four-time World Cup champion Italy on Friday.

Israel’s next game is scheduled for September 5 against Moldova, currently in last place in the group.

The 12 group winners qualify automatically for next year’s expanded 48-team tournament, while the runners-up head into the playoffs, which will decide the final four qualifiers from Europe.