Can anyone explain to me how countries such as Russia and Israel can be competing against England in the EUROPEAN football championship qualifiers?

Unless I have missed something, neither are members of the European Union.

Karen (who used to be interested in football but isn't anymore!)

Russia is part of Europe (not the EU) - I dn't know about Israel though - I thought that was in Asia.

>I dn't know about Israel though - I thought that was in Asia.

Israel is geographically is in the Middle East several thousand miles away from Asia

For Football purposes it is part of the European, this dates back to when 1948 as the Arab Countries on the whole do not recognise Israel & ergo do not play football against them(unless they were to meet in the World Cup)

Erm ... 'The Middle East' isn't a continent. ;) Turkey, north of Israel, is actually part of Asia. Istanbul is a city in both Europe and Asia. The countries of Europe can be seen here: http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/eu.htm. Oh look, the Middle east is in Asia. :rolleyes:

Links aren't working today for some reason - you'll have to copy and paste into your browser bar.

But quick look out of the window and see the blue moon - Scotland won - against France - and they beat them last outing too . Got to make the most of the moment cos it wont last for long :D :D

don't Israel take part in Eurovision too - maybe something to do with the fact that many of the citizens came from european countries but probably more to do with the politics of the region :(

>don't Israel take part in Eurovision too - maybe something to do with the fact that many of the citizens came from european countries but probably more to do with the politics of the region 

It is due to the politics sadly until very recently if you had an Israeli stamp in your passport you couldn't enter Arab countries(still can't in some)When I go to Israel I fly out on my Israeli passport & if I had to go to an Arab country I would use my UK passport

To most people Asia isn't though of as the continent but is the "Far East"part so geographically Israel is in the Middle East(Not writing of Continental positioning)

The Qualifying for the World Cup is governed by these area competitions
European Qualifiers
South American Qualifiers
African Qualifiers
CONCACAF Qualifiers Asian Qualifiers
Oceania Qualifiers

Just out of interest, when did that region become known as the 'Middle East', because about a century ago it was the 'Near East', with the Middle East being the region around India and the Far East being where it is now. Where's the Near East now? All I can assume is that it refers to Holland - or perhaps Essex!! :D :D :D

After 1948