Israel to play Iceland in Euro 2024 playoffs, with winner to face Bosnia or Ukraine

Teams vying for spot in games in Germany; Israel has never qualified for championships

NYON, Switzerland — Israel will face Iceland in its Euro 2024 qualifying play-off semifinal following Thursday’s draw in Nyon, with Ukraine to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Three of the six semifinals had already been decided after the end of the qualifying group stage earlier this week, with Wales’s match against Finland also confirmed by the draw.

The winners of Bosnia’s game with Ukraine will host the victors of Israel v Iceland for a place at the tournament in Germany next year.

Ukraine and Israel are both currently playing their home matches on neutral territory due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, respectively.

Israel has never qualified for a European Championship but did win the Asian Cup in 1964 before switching to UEFA.

Wales, bidding to reach a third straight Euro, will meet either Poland or Estonia, again at home, for a place in the finals if it can beat Finland.

File: The trophy is displayed on the pitch before the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, July 11, 2021. (Carl Recine/Pool Photo via AP)

The fixtures for the third playoff “path,” featuring Georgia, Luxembourg, Greece, and Kazakhstan, were already in place.

The semifinals will take place on March 21, with the finals deciding the last three berths for Euro 2024 being held five days later.