On November 6, 2026, it became known that 19-year-old Israeli footballer of Ukrainian origin, Alexey Talpa (אלכסיי טלפה), playing for Maccabi Netanya, was again included in the application for the Ukrainian U-21 youth team. Head coach Dmitry Mikhaylenko invited him for two November friendly matches — against Scotland and the USA.
Author: Elena Gunko, NAnews — NAnews
The published list includes 24 footballers. Talpa is the only representative of the Israeli championship. His new call-up followed a month after his debut goal for Ukraine.
From the Israeli team to the Ukrainian youth team
Talpa’s story is unusual even for international football. He was born on June 27, 2007, in the Ukrainian city of Kirovohrad, which is now called Kropyvnytskyi. As a child, he moved with his family to Israel, where he grew up.
In September–October 2025, the midfielder played three matches for the Israeli U-19 youth team and scored one goal. However, in 2026, he decided to play for the country of his birth.
NAnews has already detailed, why Israeli footballer Alexey Talpa chose Ukraine, how he serves in the IDF, and what problems he faced at Maccabi Netanya.
The process of transitioning between national football federations took about a month. The decision was supported by the footballer’s father and his agent. Talpa retained his Israeli citizenship: changing sports representation does not mean renouncing citizenship.
On October 5, in Eger, Hungary, he debuted for Ukraine U-21 against Albania. Alexey earned a penalty and converted it himself in the 54th minute. The match ended with a score of 2:2. After the game, he first called his father.
Thus, the November invitation is not Talpa’s first acquaintance with the Ukrainian team, but a continuation of his performances for it.
The matches will take place in Spain: the time is convenient for Israel as well
Ukraine will meet two opponents:
- November 12, 15:00 — Scotland U-21 — Ukraine U-21.
- November 17, 15:00 — Ukraine U-21 — USA U-21.
Both matches will be held at the Pinatar Arena Football Center in San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia region, Spain.
The time is indicated according to Kyiv. In November, Ukraine and Israel are in the same time zone, so for Israeli fans, the start is also scheduled for 15:00.
U-21 is a youth team, not the main national team. It invites footballers of the appropriate age category according to the competition regulations. A call-up means inclusion in the application but does not guarantee playing time.
Who ended up on the same team with Talpa
Mikhaylenko selected three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eleven midfielders, and two forwards.
Competing for the goalkeeper position will be Nazar Domchak (Slavia, Czech Republic), Denis Marchenko (Karpaty), and Nazar Makarenko (Polissya).
Invited to the defense are Daniil Malov (Lechia, Poland), Alexander Soroka (Gent, Belgium), Kirill Digtar, Daniel Vernattus, and Yegor Abramov (all three — Metalist), Vladislav Zakharchenko and Maxim Korobov (Dynamo), Alexander Gavrilenko (Unia Skierniewice, Poland).
In midfield, besides Talpa, are Bogdan Redushko (Dynamo), Bogdan Budko (AZ, Netherlands), Yaroslav Shevchenko (Kryvbas), Yaroslav Karaman and Alexander Ivanov (Polissya), Viktor Tsukanov (Shakhtar), Daniil Teplyakov and Danilo Kaidalov (Metalist), Maxim Khiminets (Pogronje, Slovakia), Daniel Rozzuvaylo (Braga, Portugal).
In attack — Dmitry Bogdanov from the German Energie and Bogdan Popov from the Italian Empoli.
Ten players received debut call-ups. Among them is Rozzuvaylo, who previously played for Portugal U-15. For Mikhaylenko, these matches will be an opportunity to test the updated squad.
What the new call-up means for the footballer from Netanya
In April 2026, Talpa debuted in Ligat ha’Al — the top division of Israel. But he has not yet secured a place in the main squad of Maccabi Netanya. In October, the Israeli press reported a lack of playing practice under coach Roni Levy.
Alexey prefers to play as an attacking midfielder, although he is often used on the flank in the club. He combines his football career with service in the IDF: after training, he goes to the army, where, according to him, he usually spends two to three hours.
For readers outside Israel, it should be explained: military service here also applies to many professional athletes. The conditions for combining service and training depend on the individual status of the serviceman.
Ukraine finished the qualification for the U-21 Euro 2027 third in group H with 12 points and did not advance to the final part. Therefore, the November matches are primarily needed for preparation for the next cycle.
Talpa hopes to become a regular player for Maccabi and eventually move to a European club. He prefers the Spanish championship. For now, the immediate task is much more specific: to get playing time against Scotland or the USA and confirm that the October goal against Albania was not a fluke.
NAnews — NAnews follows the performances of Israeli footballers of Ukrainian origin and the sports connections between the two countries.
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