Not a first
This is not the first time that the Israeli team has played on Hungarian soil. In November 2023, a few weeks after the start of the conflict, the currently 78th-ranked nation in the world in the FIFA rankings faced Switzerland and then Romania in Felcsut, which is none other than the home village of Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister. The Euro 2024 play-off match between Israel and Iceland was played in Budapest.
Orban is the central element that made it possible to host Israel’s matches in Hungary. Accused of populism and opposed to immigration, the 61-year-old is also a big fan of football, which he sees as an essential political instrument for managing power. This is why he did not hesitate to invest billions of euros to make the various stadiums in his country, including the national team’s stadium, more attractive. For many, Viktor Orban uses football to improve Hungary’s reputation, a kind of sportswashing for someone who is criticized from all sides in Europe and who, for his part, criticizes Western progressivism.
Orban – Netanyahu link
The friendship between Hungary and Israel is not new. Viktor Orban and Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, met for the first time in 2005 and have been friends ever since. This attachment allows for a closeness between the two governments with Orban supporting Israel’s war while banning pro-Palestinian demonstrations on his territory.The magnificent Pancho Arena hosted the match between Israel and Switzerland, Orban wrote on X (Twitter) last November after the meeting between Israel and Switzerland. For ten years, we have introduced a zero-tolerance policy against anti-Semitism. Today, Hungary is the safest country for Jews.”
In addition to playing its match outside its borders, Belgium will therefore play in a certain way “at home” to Israel, which will also host Italy on Hungarian soil, near Budapest, next week.We spoke with UEFA who helped us find a venue for the match, explains Marie Verbeke, spokesperson for the Belgian Union. We first talked about Budapest, where Israel had already played some matches. But several matches had already been organised on this pitch and we preferred the pitch in good condition in Debrecen, which seemed the most logical solution. We are obviously disappointed that the match cannot take place in Belgium, but we had no choice.”
A disappointment on the sporting level for the Devils who will not be able to count on their supporters but also on the financial level. In addition to the loss of revenue at the ticket level, the match being organized behind closed doors, it is necessary to take into account the travel costs to Hungary for a total amount estimated at around one million euros.
The big winners in this situation are therefore Israel, accustomed to playing on Orban’s turf and which sees its link with Hungary solidify, but above all Hungary itself which takes care of its image through the organization of sporting events. A country which will also host the Champions League final, in Budapest, in 2026…
