Israel to play Spain in final match of failed World Cup bid

Israel’s national soccer team will face off against Spain Monday night in Jerusalem for the final match in its failed bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The outcome of the match will have no bearing on either squad’s World Cup fortunes, with Israel knocked out of contention and Spain having already secured its spot next year in Russia. But a victory for the Israeli side over the vaunted Spanish team would nevertheless mark a significant achievement for the white and blues.

Despite high hopes among Israeli soccer fans the national team would make it to the World Cup for the first time since 1970, the bid ended in failure and frustration, notably characterized by the suspension and subsequent resignation of the squad’s team captain after he tore off his captain’s armband in the final minutes of a vital qualification game that Israel lost to Macedonia last month.

Israel notched only three victories during its campaign to reach the tourney, two of which were against Lichtenstein and the other a 3-0 win over Albania last November. The match against Albania was played under tight security measures after police reportedly busted a group of 15 people in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia planning an attack during the game near the capital Tirana.

Ahead of Monday night’s match, players from the Spanish squad got a chance to do some sightseeing in Jerusalem, including a visit to the Old City and the Western Wall.

The game will be held at Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium, with a scheduled kickoff at 9:45 p.m.

AP contributed to this report.