As many as 5 countries that refuse to play against Israel will be reviewed by SportReviews in this article. Interestingly, the Indonesian national team is one of the five countries.
Yes, the 2023 U-20 World Cup was canceled in Indonesia because a number of parties objected to the presence of the U-20 Israel National Team. That way, FIFA also decided to revoke the status of the host of the competition from Indonesia.
However, there are 5 countries that have refused to play against Israel. Then, who are they? Check out the following reviews to find out.
Here are 5 countries that refuse to play against Israel
- Iran
The Iranian national team is one of the countries that refuses to play against Israel. In fact, there are two players who have been dropped from the Iranian national team for facing Israeli clubs, the two players are Iran Hajsafi and Shojaei.
Both players are considered to have crossed the line because they played against Israeli clubs. This was also unacceptable to the country, so that the two players were dropped from the Iranian national team.
2. Egypt
Next up is the Egyptian National Team. Egypt once refused to play against Israel in the 1958 World Cup Qualification to be precise.
At that time, Egypt, who was in the same group as Indonesia, refused to play against Israel. This is based on a form of solidarity with Palestinians. As a result, Egypt also had to be eliminated in the 1958 World Cup Qualification round.
- Türkey
Next is the Turkish national team. The Turkish national team also refused to play Israel in the 1958 World Cup qualification round.
Türkiye fully supports Palestine and refuses to play against Israel. That way, Israel also qualified for the 1958 World Cup play-offs. However, in the end they failed to advance to the finals because they lost 0-2 to Wales.
4. Argentina
Second on this list is the Argentina National Team. The Argentina national team is scheduled to meet Israel in a trial match in 2018.
However, the players later refused to appear for political reasons. This was supported by the Argentine striker at the time, Gonzalo Higuain. In fact, according to him, the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) made the right decision by canceling the trial match.
5. Indonesia
Lastly is the Indonesian National Team. It was noted that apart from the 2023 U-20 World Cup, it turned out that the Indonesian national team had previously refused to play with Israel.
Yes, that moment occurred in the 1958 World Cup Qualification round. Just like Turkey and Egypt, the Indonesian national team also faced Israel to advance to the 1958 World Cup finals.
However, the Indonesian national team refused to face Israel, which ultimately made the Indonesian national team fail to advance to the 1958 World Cup finals. Even at the 1962 Asian Games, President Soekarno also refused to invite Israel.
