Why do these Asian countries play in UEFA?

[Tyler66]

Why do Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan play in UEFA? They're all Asian countries. I understand that South American nations Guyana and Suriname play in CONCACAF, because they're not very strong. However UEFA is stronger than the AFC.

[eric515]

I can't speak for the other ones, but I am sure Israel plays in UEFA to avoid an all out war when playing qualifiers against Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, etc.

As for Turkey, I believe part of Turkey is technically in Europe, and I am pretty sure Cyprus is too, considering their ties to Greece.

[Forza AZ]

Why do Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan play in UEFA? They're all Asian countries. I understand that South American nations Guyana and Suriname play in CONCACAF, because they're not very strong. However UEFA is stronger than the AFC.
Turkey and Kazakhstan are for a small part in Europe (Turkey in the northwest, bordering to Greece and Bulgaria; Kazakhstan west of the Ural-river). Israel for political reasons, because the all the islamic countries in Asia. Cyprus is a bit of a doubt if they are in Europe or Asia, but they have almost all their connections with Greece, so that should have been the reason they play in Europe.
I'm not sure where the border between Asia and Europe is in the Caucasus. When you consider the south border of the former Sovjetunion the border, then Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are in Europe. When you consider the Caucasus mountains the border, I think Georgia and Azerbaijan would still be for a small part in Europe.

[rivers]

First off, most people consider Cyprus, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan as part of Europe. Cyprus is a European Union Member for pete's sake and Turkey is a candidate country, with negotiations about joining the union to begin in October of this year.

If you look at maps of Europe, such as the lonely planet ones, or the fabulous ones at the university of Texas, http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/europe.html , they include Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Kazakhstan and Israel are a bit different. I have no idea about them. But as mentioned, probably a safety issue having Israel play in Europe instead of Asia.

[MassachusettsRef]

In a strict geographic sense, Cyprus and Israel are the only two countries mentioned that fall completely outside Europe. Both are UEFA members for political reasons.

Israel should be obvious. Iran, and perhaps a few other sides, would refuse to compete against Israel altogether. And, even in cases where Israel's opponents would play, security would be less than guaranteed. Playing in UEFA is just safer and easier.

Cyprus is, as previously noted, politically connected to Europe. Its ties are to Turkey and Greece. It has, as also noted, joined the EU; but that occurred recently and well after it's affiliation with UEFA.

As for the others:

Kazakhstan and Turkey have the smallest percentage of their land mass in geographic Europe. The part of Turkey north of the Sea of Marmara and west of the Bosporus is in Europe. The rest of Turkey is in Asia (historically it's literally called "Asia Minor"). The small part of Kazakhstan west of the Urals is also in geographic Europe (mainly the part due north of the Caspian Sea).

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as others have said, are definitely in what is commonly considered geographic Europe.

The easiest answer to this question is that there are three "Europes": The political Europe (EU), the geographic Europe (east to the Caspian/Urals, south to the Black/Caucasus), and the "traditional" Europe (what was called "Europe" in the Cold War...NATO/Warsaw Pact countries minus USA/Canada/USSR). UEFA's Europe is a mixture of the three.

[cosmosRIP]

Cyprus is a European Union Member for pete's sake and Turkey is a candidate country, with negotiations about joining the union to begin in October of this year.

and Chile are in negotiations to join NAFTA, I don't see what economic grouping you are in has to do with soccer.
All of Cyprus and 97% of Turkey are in Asia.

[RichardL]

All of Cyprus ..... are in Asia.
Cyprus is in Europe. It's nearer Asia than the rest of europe, but it's still in europe.

[Jay510]

israel is one reason on their own...the other nations will never qualify out of Europe, so why they dont just play in Asia is mind boggling. The asian contigent is so bad that Australia joined thinking they could qualify. Unreal.

[ursula]

Geologically speaking, Cyprus is a piece of mid-ocean crust, dredged up by Africa on it's way north like a wave on the prow of a ship. So technically it should be a part of Oceania. So should Iceland...


:)

[MassachusettsRef]

Cyprus is in Europe. It's nearer Asia than the rest of europe, but it's still in europe.Politically and historically, yes; and quite frankly, that's what matters.

But, in a strict geographic sense, it's definitely in what's considered Asia. It seems that most people think Cyprus is a lot further west than it's actual location.

[HSEUPASSION]

Israel got kicked out of AFC, then played in OFC (and that makes no sense whatsoever), then applied to UEFA.

[MassachusettsRef]

then played in OFC (and that makes no sense whatsoever)Before the OFC was officially formed, some strange stuff went on. If you take a look at a history of Israel's World Cup qualifying, you can see the evolution:

1950
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/q/rslt.html?tr=WC1950PRLCT&stg=WC1950PRLCTGM
This predates most official confederations. Qualifying was done on a basic regional basis. Israel played Yugoslavia.

1954
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/q/rslt.html?tr=WC1954PRLCT&stg=WC1954PRLCTGM
Same thing as 1950. This time a group with Yugoslavia and Greece.

1958
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/q/1958.html
The beginning of trouble:
"Israel's opponents had withdrawn in succession: first Turkey, then Indonesia, and finally Sudan. Since every country, except the hosts and the holders, had played at least two matches, FIFA decided that Israel would have to meet one of the runners-up which was to be determined by the lot. Wales won the draw after Belgium declined. It was the first (and so far the only) time that a country played at a World Cup final round after having been eliminated in the regular qualifiers."

1962
Israel did not enter the World Cup

1966
Israel did not enter the World Cup

1970
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/q/rslt.html?tr=WC1970PRLCTFCXFC&stg=WC1970PRLCTFCXFC1stS
Israel is in a qualifying bracket with Australia, Korea Republic, Japan and New Zealand. It beats New Zealand on aggregate but then loses to Australia, which goes on to beat Zimbabwe. This is the first time that Israel is separated from the Arab countries, but it's kept in a quasi-Asia/Oceania group.

1974
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/q/rslt.html?tr=WC1974PRLCTFCXFC&stg=WC1974PRLCTFCXFCGM
Israel grouped with Korea Republic, Malaysia and Thailand. Wins the group after first beating Japan in a classification match. Then beats Japan in a "semifinal". But loses to Korea Republic who goes on to lose to Australia. Again, Israel is kept with the East Asian countries, although, Australia did come out of a group that included the Arab nations. Israel and Iran actually got one step away from playing each other for a World Cup spot.

1978
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/q/rslt.html?tr=WC1978PRLCTFC&stg=WC1978PRLCTFCGM
Chinese Taipei (also for political reasons) joins/gets grouped with Australia and New Zealand in what is now the OFC. Israel stays in the AFC and is grouped with Japan and Korea Republic. Korea Republic wins the group.

Israel joined UEFA for 1982.

[rangers00]

Before the OFC was officially formed, some strange stuff went on. If you take a look at a history of Israel's World Cup qualifying, you can see the evolution:

1950

1954

...



And you forget the 1938 World Cup quals, Group 6:

http://www.rsssf.com/tables/38q.html

That was not Israel, obviously. That was a state that predated Israel, called Palestina.

Group 6 [Hungary]
1st round
22.01.38 Tel Aviv Palestina 1-3 Greece
20.02.38 Athinai Greece 1-0 Palestina
2nd round
25.03.38 Budapest Hungary 11-1 Greece

[almango]

Before the OFC was officially formed, some strange stuff went on. If you take a look at a history of Israel's World Cup qualifying, you can see the evolution:
1970
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/q/rslt.html?tr=WC1970PRLCTFCXFC&stg=WC1970PRLCTFCXFC1stS
Israel is in a qualifying bracket with Australia, Korea Republic, Japan and New Zealand. It beats New Zealand on aggregate but then loses to Australia, which goes on to beat Zimbabwe. This is the first time that Israel is separated from the Arab countries, but it's kept in a quasi-Asia/Oceania group.

Isreal won its preliminary group, then played Australia who had just beaten Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in a play off. Isreal won 2-1 on aggregate and qualified for Mexico.


Israel joined UEFA for 1982.

Isreal played in Europe for qualifying but did not join. When OFC qualifying was separated from Asia for 1986 Isreal was grouped with Australia, New Zealand and Chinese Taipea in the final OFC group and came second. For 1990 they were grouped with Australia and New Zealand, won the group and lost in a play off with a South American country. They joined UEFA in the early 1990's. Their last competition in OFC was for a youth tournament during the first gulf war when they lost on away goals to Australia despite both matches being held in Sydney.

[Excape Goat]

Israel should be obvious. Iran, and perhaps a few other sides, would refuse to compete against Israel altogether. And, even in cases where Israel's opponents would play, security would be less than guaranteed. Playing in UEFA is just safer and easier.


You are correct. All the Muslim countries boycotted the Asian Cup in the 1950s because of Israel. Ironically, Iran was the only Muslim country that was willing to play against them. Of course, it was before the Islamatic revolution.

[Gen-Max93]

Why do Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan play in UEFA? They're all Asian countries. I understand that South American nations Guyana and Suriname play in CONCACAF, because they're not very strong. However UEFA is stronger than the AFC.

Simple, the word "European" is thought to be better than "Middle Eastern"

But if you look on a map, all of these countries are in the Mid-East.....

[Champagne Football]

As of next year, people will be asking, "Why does Australia play in AFC when it's not an Asian country?" :)

So long, Oceania....only a couple of games to go! :D :D :D

[Champagne Football]

In exacting geographic definitions, Europe is really not a continent, but part of the peninsula of Euroasia, which includes all of Europe and Asia. However, most geographers today refer to it as an individual continent.

Geography Note:

Opinions vary as to what countries make up the modern definition of Europe, as historically, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been long associated with the Middle East. In recent years some sources now consider them to be more closely aligned with Europe based on their modern economic and political trends. I.E. Both are similar to the former CIS country of Georgia, now included as part of Europe. We have therefore moved in that direction, and the same can be said for the island country of Cyprus. In addition, parts of Turkey and Russia are considered a part of Europe, as well as Asia.

We attempt here (worldatlas.com) to show the modern definitions, but in worldwide geography, there are often many answers (or opinions) to what appears to be a simple question.

http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/eu.htm

[Jay510]

You are correct. All the Muslim countries boycotted the Asian Cup in the 1950s because of Israel. Ironically, Iran was the only Muslim country that was willing to play against them. Of course, it was before the Islamatic revolution.

anyone know the chances of Iran or Saudi Arabia meeting up with Israel if Israel manage to qualify?

I cant imagine Iran would forefit like that Judo player did in the Athens Olympics.

[DemmahoM]

anyone know the chances of Iran or Saudi Arabia meeting up with Israel if Israel manage to qualify?

I cant imagine Iran would forefit like that Judo player did in the Athens Olympics.


I doubt both teams will forefit if they have to play Israel, the WC is just too important for us..