Scotland to Play Israel Behind Closed Doors in Hungary
Scotland's Women's World Cup qualifying double-header against Israel next month will be held behind closed doors at a neutral venue in Hungary.
Melissa Andreatta's team will conclude their Group B4 campaign with both the 'home' and 'away' matches against Israel at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest.
The Scottish side, currently unbeaten and leading the group on goal difference with their play-off spot secured for later this year, will first face Israel on Friday, 5 June at 17:00 BST, followed by their final group game on Tuesday, 9 June at 18:00.
Why Are Both Games in Hungary?
UEFA, the governing body of European football, has ruled that no matches in its competitions can be held in Israel due to security concerns.
Consequently, Hungary has frequently served as the home venue for both Israel's men's and women's national teams. When Scotland previously played Israel in Euro 2025 qualifying, they secured a 5-0 victory in Budapest.
The reverse fixture was held at Hampden Park in Scotland, which Scotland won 4-1 behind closed doors; however, the kick-off was delayed after a protester chained himself to a goalpost.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has not provided a detailed explanation for why the 'home' game will not be played in Scotland, other than stating that
"the decision to play both matches at a neutral venue... is in line with the other teams in Group B4".
Israel has played its first four matches—against Belgium and Luxembourg—behind closed doors at the Budaorsi Stadion, where Scotland also played in 2024.
Next month, Israel will return to the Bozsik Arena, where they faced Hungary in their round one play-off for Euro 2025.
Scotland, having failed to qualify for three consecutive major tournaments, is aiming under Australian coach Melissa Andreatta to reach their first World Cup since 2019.
Did the Scottish FA Consider Boycotting?
Following the Republic of Ireland men's team being drawn to play Israel in the Nations League this autumn, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) inquired with UEFA about potential sanctions for refusing to fulfill the fixtures.
They were informed that refusal could lead to disqualification, leading the FAI to decide to play the matches.
Subsequently, former international winger James McClean criticized the FAI, accusing them of lacking a
"backbone".
The Scottish FA did not respond to further requests for comment regarding their decision to play the matches.
However, in a statement issued to the BBC in November, the SFA said:
"To refuse to play would forfeit both matches and negatively impact the prospects of our women's national team."
"The Scottish FA is acutely aware of the suffering and devastation experienced in Gaza.
We are not insulated from the emotional weight of that reality, nor immune to the moral urgency expressed by the supporters, campaigners and wider civic society who have been in touch following the draw against Israel.
At the same time, we are a national association operating under membership of FIFA and UEFA and bound by their statutes.
Member associations do not have unilateral discretion to choose who they will or will not play against, which is why we are obliged to fulfil our fixtures."
