The 2024/25 European season is quickly approaching, with 236 clubs set to compete in UEFA’s continental club competitions this season.
With the first qualifying round draws occurring next week, Extratime Talk will be providing a comprehensive coefficient preview. Between now and then, each country will be previewed, and all clubs participating in Europe for the 2024/25 season are discussed.
In these articles, we will provide analyses of what to expect from each country in Europe. We will explore what is on the line from a coefficient standpoint, and the keys to succeeding, in that country’s case.
The 38th article in this series will take a look at Israel, and what to expect from their clubs in the 2024/25 European season.
Israel in Europe: Country Profile
| Previous Season Coefficient (Rank) | 8.750 (12th) |
| Previous Season’s 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 31.125 (17th) |
| Starting 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 28.750 (11th) |
Israel has a massive chance at 15th spot slip through their fingers last term. Despite having two teams in the round of 16 of the Conference League, neither one of Maccabi Haifa nor Maccabi Tel Aviv could move on. The latter’s elimination was more costly, as the team they fell to, Olympiakos of Greece, went on to win the competition. That saw Greece finish ahead of both Denmark and Israel for 15th place.
Such a setback could pave the way for a very good 2024/25 for Israel. They start in 11th spot, the highest they have ever commenced a season. While it is rather unlikely they will finish higher than 11th, a top 12 spot would still be golden for the country. They could not have asked for a better position to be in, and it will take something to stop their clubs this term.
Israel in Europe: Club Profile
| Club | Qualified As | Round of Entry | Total European Seasons | Last Season’s Performance | 5-Year Club Coefficient (2023/24) | 5-Year Country Coefficient Contribution, 2023/24 (%) |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | Domestic Champion | UCL Q2, CH Path | 25 | UECL Round of 16 | 35.500 | 12.625 (40.56%) |
| Maccabi Petah Tikva | Cup Winner | UEL Q2 | 3 | N/A | 6.175 | N/A |
| Maccabi Haifa | Domestic Runner-up | UECL Q2, Main Path | 23 | UECL Round of 16 | 17.000 | 9.875 (31.73%) |
| Hapoel Be’er Sheva | Domestic Third Place | UECL Q2, Main Path | 14 | UECL Q3 | 18.000 | 7.750 (24.9%) |
After three years in the Conference League, two of which they made the knockout rounds, Maccabi Tel Aviv returns to the Champions League as Israeli champions. They managed to hold off Maccabi Haifa to dethrone them and play their first season in the UCL in five years. They will be seeded throughout qualifying, where they start in Q2. Much will be expected from Maccabi Tel Aviv, as they look to build off last season’s result.
Maccabi Petah Tikva defeat Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the cup final to earn a third ever European appearance. They will start in the second qualifying round of the Europa League as an unseeded team. Both of their previous appearances came in the UEFA Cup, where they made round one (present-day playoff round) and the group stage across consecutive European campaigns. This will definitely be a more difficult task for them as they aim for a league phase spot.
League runners-up Maccabi Haifa will have to be satisfied with a place in UECL Q2. After winning three league titles in a row, they were denied a fourth. Fortunately for Maccabi Haifa, they will be seeded throughout qualifying, which will work to their advantage. After making the round of 16 in the Conference League last term – just their second round of 16 tie – expectations will be high for the club.
Rounding out Israel’s European representatives is losing cup finalists Hapoel Be’er Sheva. HBS finished third in the league and will join Maccabi Haifa in UECL Q2. They are also seeded throughout qualifying. They have participated in UECL qualifying in all previous editions of the tournament, and will hope to return to the main round as they did in 2022/23.
Israel’s Season Ambitions
Israel’s season ambitions is pretty clear: at minimum a place in the top 15. However, giving their starting position, a top 12 finish has to be the overall goal. While finishing between 13th and 15th would still be an achievement, there is a massive opportunity in front of them to secure a second UEL spot for 2026/27. They have to make that count.
Regarding how many coefficient points should be the aim, at least 10.000 points. Last term they got 8.750 points, which is not very far away. Keeping in mind the increase of league phase matches in the UCL and UEL, as well as the increase of available coefficient points, a repeat showing from last season to translate to at least 10.000 this time around.
What a Good Year Would Look Like for Israel
A good year for Israel would see them make the most of having three teams seeded throughout qualifying. That doesn’t even consider Maccabi Petah Tikva, who, despite being unseeded throughout qualifying, has at least four games in Europe. Even if they win just one tie, that would come in handy. If the other three clubs make the league phase, and at least two of them go further than that, then it would already be considered a very good year.
From a coefficient perspective, anything above 8.500 points should be seen as a good year for Israel. That would mean matching last year’s tally, which could very easily be improved upon. Anything above 10.000 is a stellar year for Israeli football, and would most certainly keep them in the top 12.
What to Expect from Israel in 2024/25
Israel has all the potential to continue from where they left off from 2023/24. With three teams seeded throughout qualifying, and another club having at least four games, that opens the door for at least 22 games, if not 24, in the qualifying rounds. If they play their cards right, they could mimic what Turkey did last summer.
As to where we can expect Israel to finish, somewhere in the top 15 looks very likely. If three, or even all four of their clubs make a league phase, that should be 15th spot wrapped up at the minimum. Multiple teams in the knockout rounds would almost surely give them a top 12 finish as well. So, everything is there in Israel’s hands. If the clubs perform to their capabilities, this will be nothing short of a phenomenal year for Israeli football.