Who Israelis Should Back at the World Cup: The Guru’s Pick

Israel did not qualify and that leaves a country of club loyalties, diaspora ties and political instincts with a simple question: who to cheer for when the whole world is watching. The answers split into three practical camps — identity, aesthetics and pragmatism — and every Israeli fan will weight them differently. This is not merely about flags; it is about memory, mood and the kind of victory you want to celebrate.

If you vote with identity, Morocco and the United States make sense: Morocco for the deep Jewish-Moroccan connection and shared histories, the US for the American-Jewish link and sheer diaspora presence. If you pick pragmatism, England, France and Brazil are the safe banks — abundant talent, deep squads and coaches who turn talent into tournament runs. Then there is aesthetics: Argentina and Portugal attract fans who prefer artistry and narrative over cold probability.

Politics will always nudge choices for some fans, and that is part of the game; fans are humans, not neutral observers. But sport cleanses the political ledger on the pitch, and the truest reasons to pick a team are joy and anticipation. Rooting for an underdog is noble, but backing a team likely to go deep will give you more memorable nights in the bars and living rooms.

The Guru’s recommendation: back Argentina for the combination of footballing excellence, poetic narrative and consistent capacity to win the big matches — they give fans both beauty and a realistic trophy path. If your heart is sentimental, choose Morocco as the underdog story that connects to many Israeli families; either way, pick the team that makes you smile when the final whistle blows. My prediction: Argentina will be among the last standing — cheer for them if you want your World Cup memories to hurt in the best possible way.