Sporting Kansas City’s dynamic midfielder, Gadi Kinda, is poised to represent Israel in a critical series of UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying games. Fresh off a stellar performance in Round One of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Kinda’s international call-up comes at a pivotal moment for the Israeli national team as they navigate a condensed and crucial qualifying schedule.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has significantly impacted Israel’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. Originally scheduled for October, Israel’s home qualifiers were postponed and are now rescheduled within an intense ten-day window from November 12-21. Due to the war, Israel will play these “home” matches at Pancho Arena in Felcsut, Hungary. This challenging situation sets the stage for high-stakes Uefa Euro Qualifiers Games where every match carries immense weight.
Kinda will rejoin Sporting Kansas City following his international duty, just in time for the crucial Western Conference semifinal away match slated for the weekend of November 25-26. The opponent will be either Houston Dynamo FC or Real Salt Lake, and Sporting will rely on Kinda’s playoff form to advance further.
Israel’s UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Schedule (All Times 1:45 p.m. CT)
- Sunday, Nov. 12: at Kosovo | Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Prishtina
- Wednesday, Nov. 15: vs. Switzerland | Pancho Arena, Felcsut, Hungary
- Saturday, Nov. 18: vs. Romania | Pancho Arena, Felcsut, Hungary
- Tuesday, Nov. 21: at Andorra | Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella
Alt text: Gadi Kinda, Sporting Kansas City midfielder, representing the Israel national team in UEFA Euro Qualifiers.
Israel has elevated expectations in this UEFA Euro qualifying cycle after securing promotion to the prestigious 2024-25 UEFA Nations League A. Their primary objective is to achieve their first-ever qualification for the European Championship since joining UEFA in 1994. UEFA Euro 2024 will feature 24 nations, with the top two teams from each of the ten qualifying groups automatically advancing alongside host nation Germany. The final three spots will be determined through a playoff round. The pressure is on for Israel to capitalize on this opportunity in these vital UEFA Euro qualifiers games.
Currently positioned third in Group I, Israel trails leaders Romania by five points and Switzerland by four. However, the postponed matches provide Israel with games in hand, offering a pathway to potentially climb the group standings. As the group stage reaches its climax on November 21, Israel faces a spectrum of outcomes: automatic qualification for Euro 2024 by securing a top-two finish, a third-place finish leading to a playoff opportunity in March, or failing to finish in the top three and elimination from contention. These upcoming UEFA Euro qualifiers games are truly decisive for Israel’s Euro 2024 aspirations.
Kinda brings valuable international experience to the Israeli squad, having earned five caps for his nation. His last appearance was in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on October 12, 2021. He marked his debut for Israel in spectacular fashion with a remarkable long-range goal in a 3-1 friendly victory against Montenegro on June 5, 2021. Four days later, he made his first start in a friendly match against European powerhouse Portugal. In September, Kinda received his first national team call-up in nearly two years and was an unused substitute in a 1-1 draw against Romania on September 9 and a 1-0 victory over Belarus on September 12. His prior international experience will be crucial in navigating the pressure of these UEFA Euro qualifiers games.
Alt text: Sporting Kansas City midfielder Gadi Kinda celebrates a goal, highlighting his offensive prowess for the upcoming UEFA Euro Qualifiers.
Kinda’s call-up to the national team is underpinned by his sensational recent form in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs against St. Louis City SC. He was instrumental in Sporting’s dominant victories, showcasing his attacking flair with a stunning goal and two assists in the 4-1 triumph on October 29. He followed this up with a crucial game-winning assist to Daniel Salloi in the 2-1 victory at Children’s Mercy Park. This 2-0 series sweep cemented Kinda’s place in Kansas City history, becoming only the sixth player to register multiple goals and assists in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. His current form provides a significant boost for Israel in these crucial UEFA Euro qualifiers games.
Since joining Sporting Kansas City in January 2020 from Israeli Premier League side Beitar Jerusalem, Kinda has amassed an impressive record of 16 goals and 20 assists in 79 competitive appearances. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Israel, he spent the initial nine seasons of his professional career in Israel’s top two leagues, including an eight-year tenure with his hometown club Ashdod.
Kinda was pivotal in Sporting Kansas City’s first-place finish in the Western Conference in 2020 and their third-place finish in 2021. After overcoming a knee injury that sidelined him for the entire 2022 season, he made a successful return to action in April, making 28 appearances this year. Throughout the 2023 campaign, he has contributed five goals and eight assists, with four of his 13 goal contributions occurring in the playoff series against St. Louis. His resilience and recent performances make him a key asset for both club and country, especially as he prepares for these vital UEFA Euro qualifiers games.
