Israël – France: Key Highlights from the Pre-Match Briefing

Maintaining Focus on Sport Amidst Turmoil

The anticipation builds as Israël prepares to face France in a crucial Nations League match tonight in Budapest. Ran Ben Shimon, the head coach of Israël, emphasized the importance of concentrating on football amidst the ongoing conflict in the region. He stated, "We must separate ourselves from the turmoil when we step onto the pitch."

Context of the Match

With the escalating war between Israël and neighboring countries, team captain Dor Peretz acknowledged the difficulties players face while representing their country during such challenging times. “It’s a privilege to play football and bring joy to our nation during this crisis,” he remarked.

• The match will take place in Budapest due to UEFA’s ban on hosting games in Israël.
• France aims for a win to secure their qualification chances for the quarter-finals after a previous win against Belgium.
• The lineup for Israël features key players ready to make a statement against the French squad.

Significant Lineup Changes

France's squad faces a few controversies as Kylian Mbappé, N'Golo Kanté, and Antoine Griezmann will not participate in this match. Coach Didier Deschamps has insisted on appointing Aurélien Tchouameni as captain for this important game.