2020 has been like groundhog day but if there was a fixture to epitomise that it was Scotland versus Israel. However, the 2022 World Cup draw has pit the teams together once more meaning that the Scottish Celts will face off against their Israeli colleagues twice more with a place at the World Cup in Qatar at stake.
Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed played against Scotland twice this season, with the Scottish contingent coming out on top at Hampden on penalties but losing in Israel. Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Ryan Christie, Greg Taylor and Leigh Griffiths will all have their eyes set on playing the Israelis and their two teammates when they play against each other next year.
We've been drawn in Group F for qualification for the 2022 @FIFAWorldCup, alongside:
🇩🇰 Denmark
🇦🇹 Austria
🏴 SCOTLAND
🇮🇱 Israel
🇫🇴 Faroe Islands
🇲🇩 MoldovaThoughts on the group, Scotland fans? pic.twitter.com/4sqoHFMluu
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) December 7, 2020
The have played each other three times so far this year – drawing 1-1 at Hampden before Scotland prevailed on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final but they were beaten 1-0 in Netanya. The latter was a game which Scotland dominated and could have won on any other given day.
Should Scotland navigate their way through the qualifiers, they will have to travel to Qatar in the winter of 2022 in order to play in roasting conditions. Fan zones will have alcohol but they may not consume out with these areas.
