Israel to face France at Vicarage Road

Israel are set to play their "home" Euro 2004 qualifying matches at Watford's Vicarage Road ground with the first visitors to their temporary home likely to be France on 2 April.

With Uefa, the European game's governing body, deeming the Jewish state off limits to visiting teams due to the volatile security situation in the region, the Israeli FA has sought alternative venues away from the Middle East.

The IFA chairman, Gavri Levi, has confirmed that the First Division club's stadium is their chosen venue. "I don't see the situation in Israel improving over the next few months and we have to give Uefa an alternative venue to host our matches. Both the club [Watford] and the local authority have agreed to let us use Vicarage Road," Levi explained.

Israel's other Group One opponents are Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta. All are expected to travel to Vicarage Road next year if the situation in the Middle East fails to improve.