Scotland’s Women’s World Cup qualifying double-header against Israel next month will take place behind closed doors at a neutral venue in Hungary. Manager Melissa Andreatta’s squad will play both the nominal ‘home’ and ‘away’ legs of their Group B4 fixtures at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest.
The Scots, who remain unbeaten, lead the group on goal difference and have already secured their spot in the play-offs later this year, will first play 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, European football’s governing body, has ruled that no matches in its competitions can be held in Israel due to security concerns. Consequently, Hungary has become the regular home base for both Israel’s men’s and women’s national teams. When Scotland faced Israel in Euro 2025 qualifying, they won 5-0 in Budapest. The reverse fixture, played at Hampden Park in Scotland, was also behind closed doors and saw the Scots win 4-1, though kick-off was delayed after a protester chained himself to a goalpost.
The Scottish FA has not explained why the ‘home’ game is not in Scotland, stating only that “the decision to play both matches at a neutral venue… is in line with the other teams in Group B4.” Israel have played their four opening group games against Belgium and Luxembourg behind closed doors at the Budaorsi Stadion, where Scotland played in 2024. Next month, they will return to the Bozsik Arena, where they faced Hungary in their Euro 2025 play-off first round. That match marked the third consecutive major tournament Scotland failed to qualify for, with Andreatta aiming to guide them to a first World Cup since 2019.
**Did the Scottish FA Consider Boycotting?**
After the Republic of Ireland’s men’s team were drawn to play Israel in the Nations League this autumn, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) asked UEFA about the penalties for refusing to fulfill the fixtures. They were told they could potentially be disqualified, so they opted to play the matches. Subsequently, former international winger James McClean accused the FAI of lacking “backbone”. The Scottish FA did not respond to fresh requests for comment on their decision to play the matches. However, in a statement issued to the BBC in November, they said that “to refuse to play would forfeit both matches and negatively impact the prospects of our women’s national team.” They added: “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 fulfill our fixtures.”
