The rare Israel v Wales 1958 World Cup qualification 1st Leg play-off programme, played at the Ramat Gan Stadium, Tel Aviv, 15th January 1958 Politic

The rare Israel v Wales 1958 World Cup qualification 1st Leg play-off programme, played at the Ramat Gan Stadium, Tel Aviv, 15th January 1958 Politics intervened during the qualification series for the 1958 World Cup. Egypt and Sudan refused to play against Israel, while Indonesia insisted meeting their Middle Eastern opponents on a neutral ground. The upshot was that FIFA proclaimed Israel winner of the zone by walk-over, but required them to play-off home and away against one of the teams who had finished runner-up in a European group. This was decided by drawing lots with Wales, who had finished behind Czechoslovakia in their group, obtaining the right to play-off against Israel. Wales won both legs of the tie 2-0 to qualify for the first and so far only time at a World Cup finals.