1958 FIFA World Cup: Israel vs Withdrawals

“Not since 1958, when Brazil would make our hearts break, but now that France has arrived, it feels so good to be alive.”

Manic Street Preachers: Together Stronger (C’mon Wales), (Sony, 2016)

When Wales qualified for Euro 2016 marked the end of a fifty-six year journey to reach a major international tournament and it’s fair to say that their march to the semi-finals in France somewhat justified the Manic Street Preachers’ optimism detailed above. Their qualification for the expanded 24-team tournament in 2016 was relatively straightforward, finishing second in their group and thus securing an automatic place in the finals. However, the same cannot be said about their path to the 1958 FIFA World Cup tournament in Sweden. The sixth edition of the global competition remains the only time that all four British nations have ever qualified for a major international tournament. But this fascinating anomaly lapses into insignificance compared to the story of Israel’s qualification campaign which fell at the last hurdle in a play-off against Wales.

Qualification groups for earlier World Cup tournaments were regularly hit by withdrawals for numerous reasons ranging from underfunded national associations to foreign invasions. In fact the 1958 qualifying tournament was the first since the World Cup’s conception where the European groups, now under the control of UEFA, were completed without any withdrawals. This was not the case elsewhere. Venezuela withdrew from their group setting up a straight play-off between Brazil (the eventual winners) and Peru. Until 1970 there were limited finals places available to nations outside of Europe and South America (more on that another time) and consequently ten teams from Asia and Africa were forced to compete for one spot in Sweden. Australia and the Republic of China (now Chinese Taipei/Taiwan) withdrew from their preliminary group setting up four home and away matches between the eight remaining teams.

Turkey had previously competed in the European qualification groups and, when drawn against Israel, withdrew from the tournament in protest at being forced to compete against non-European opposition. Cyprus, still a British protectorate, also withdrew from their tie with Egypt. This was somewhat unsurprising considering the fraught political situation in the country at the time where the British government did little to quell rising tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots prior to the granting of independence in 1960. Where games of football were actually played Indonesia scraped past China PR thanks to their superior goal average and Sudan beat Syria to advance to the next round of qualifiers. Indonesia were drawn against Israel and Egypt against their neighbours Sudan.

Once again Israel would progress without kicking a ball. Indonesia refused to play the first leg of their tie within Israeli borders and appealed to FIFA to host the game on a neutral ground. When FIFA declined this request Indonesia withdrew from the tournament and subsequently did not enter the qualification process for the 1962 or 1966 World Cup tournaments. Indonesia’s refusal to play in Israel was somewhat vaguely put down to ‘political reasons’ although there was little political interaction between the two nations to speak of. Whether the Indonesian team were attempting to show solidarity with the displaced Palestinian Arab community or protesting against recent Israeli military action in Egypt it is impossible to say. What is certain is that Egypt also withdrew at this stage which set up a final match between Israel and Sudan.

The Israeli military action was the country’s involvement in the Suez Crisis which is perhaps better remembered for its impact on the political career of British Prime Minister Anthony Eden and for marking the beginning of the decline of Britain’s international standing. In response to Egypt’s decision in 1956 to nationalise the Suez Canal the British and French, then majority shareholders in this lucrative waterway, hatched a plan to reclaim it under the guise of protecting it from an Israeli invasion. The British and French invasion failed due to a lack of US support and signalled the beginning of the end of British imperial dominance in the Middle East and beyond. However, the level of deception and subterfuge by the British, French and Israeli governments would, understandably, not be readily forgotten in the region. Egypt’s neighbours to the south, Sudan, were among those unimpressed with Israel’s involvement in the Suez Crisis and subsequently refused to play the Israeli team in the final qualifier.

In previous years this would have secured Israel a place in the finals. However, shortly before the qualification process began FIFA had introduced a new rule stating that, apart from the reigning champions and hosts, all teams must play at least one qualification match before playing  in the final tournament. Their decision was for a ‘lucky loser’ to be drawn at random from the European teams who had finished second in their qualification groups. Belgium were drawn first but declined the invitation which presented Wales with the opportunity to play Israel. On January 15th Israel played their first game of the entire qualification tournament in Ramat Gan against Wales and duly lost 2-0. A month later Wales won by the same score in Cardiff to secure their place in the finals in Sweden.

Israel’s absence from the 1958 FIFA World Cup was hardly the most high profile effect of the Suez Crisis but it undoubtedly set a precedent for the political turmoil which would become synonymous with the nation’s football team. As a result of the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict several countries refused to play Israel and the team were expelled from Asian Football Confederation tournaments in 1974 after both Kuwait and North Korea forfeited second round matches against them at that year’s Asian Games. Israel were eventually brought under UEFA’s jurisdiction in 1980 but, barring one appearance in the World Cup group stage in 1970, have failed to qualify for another major international tournament.

Sweepstakes and kits: In the first of what I presume will be many sweepstakes I take part in for this World Cup my wife and I drew the questionable trinity of Mexico, Portugal and Senegal. As well as bringing to mind the Simpsons episode 'The Cartridge Family' which starts with the two of these three teams battling it out to determine who is the greatest on earth it also gave me an excuse to pick up Senegal's excellent home shirt for the tournament. But, let's be honest, we all want/need the Nigeria shirt right?

Moving forward: If you're enjoying this blog (or just enduring it) and want to get involved please feel free. I'm more than happy to look into any suggestions you may have for topics or, better still, share your work if you fancy writing a post about a particular team, tournament or match with a political backdrop. Drop me a note below if you're keen or contact me on Twitter @mannyhawks.