In qualifying for the 2004 European Championships, Israel was drawn in the same section as France, Cyprus, Slovenia and Malta. They got off to a 2-0 away win against Malta. Israel dropped two points away to a very weak Cyprus side as they drew 1-1. Israel hosted their home matches in Italy due to what had been going on in Israel and lost 2-1 to France and beat Cyprus 2-0 few days later. Israel’s home fixture against Slovenia was played at Turkey, Israel could only manage a 1-1 draw and qualification was now impossible for Euro 2004. In the return fixture, in Slovenia, Israel lost 3-1. Things went from bad to worse for the Israel’s as they only managed a dismal 2-2 draw at home to Malta and followed that up by a 3-0 away defeat against France.
Israel improved dramatically in their qualification matches for the 2006 world cup finals. They played in a group featuring the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, France, Cyprus and the Faroe Islands.
They got off to a fantastic start away to France as they held them to a 0-0 draw. They narrowly dispossessed Cyprus 2-1 at home. A 2-2 home draw against Switzerland kept Israel in tune with the rest of the group. In November 2004, Israel traveled to Cyprus and beat them 2-1, in turn placing them top of the group. Israel came from one behind to snatch a late equalizer at home to the Republic of Ireland. They produced a 1-1 home draw against France and the group was now wide open. Israel came from two goals behind away to the Republic of Ireland to draw the clash 2-2. Israel got seven points from their final three matches, against Switzerland and the Faroe Islands, however amazingly they failed to earn a play off place, as Switzerland finished ahead of them on goal difference.