Barcelona Midfielder Orian Goren Chooses Israel Over Czech Republic
Barcelona midfielder Orian Goren has chosen to represent Israel over the Czech Republic following urgent talks with FA officials, securing a spot in the upcoming squad.
Barcelona midfielder Orian Goren has chosen to represent the Israeli national team over the Czech Republic, following crucial weekend talks with Israel Football Association Chairman Shino Zuaretz and his parents. Goren, who also holds a Czech passport, was previously courted by Czech national team sporting director Pavel Nedved, who intended to call him up for matches against Spain and Croatia. The looming threat of losing the talented youngster prompted urgent intervention from Israeli officials, leading head coach Ran Ben Shimon to include him in the upcoming UEFA Nations League squad for matches against Kosovo and Austria.
Decisive Intervention and Family Ties
Zuaretz leveraged his longstanding relationship with Goren's family, dating back to the player's tenure at Maccabi Petah Tikva before his move to Spain. While the Czech federation actively pursued the midfielder—following his recent inclusion in Barcelona's wider squad setup and an appearance for Barcelona Atlètic in Spain's fourth tier—family discussions ultimately cemented his allegiance to Israel. Despite initial hesitations from Ben Shimon regarding Goren's readiness for the senior side while playing in the lower divisions, the external pressure from the Czech approach forced a decisive shift in policy.
«Goren chose Israel, he is a patriotic Israeli and will play only for it,» officials close to the matter emphasized after the talks concluded.
An official announcement regarding the call-up is expected in the coming days, providing a much-needed boost to the squad amid an injury crisis that sidelined key players such as Eliel Peretz and Tai Baribo.
