Israel's youth team stunned Europe when last year they were stopped only in the Euro final by England. Thanks to that achievement, they qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina for the first time in their history.
Israel finished second in the group stage where it surrendered to Colombia, which finished third in the South American Championship, drew against Senegal, the African champions, and beat Japan thanks to a goal in the 90+2 minute that completed a turnaround and raised Ofir Haim and his players on the way to eighth.