Barcelona’s reserve side will lose one of its youngest regulars just as Israel open a decisive stretch in Under-21 European Championship qualifying. Orian Goren, still only 17, has received his first call-up to Israel’s Under-21 squad after establishing himself under Juliano Belletti at Barça Atlètic.
The midfielder has moved quickly through the age groups. He is eligible for Israel’s Under-17 team, yet Guy Luzon has selected him among 24 players for the final two Group G fixtures in the race for the 2027 Under-21 European Championship.
Quick facts
- Orian Goren is 17 and a regular for Barça Atlètic in Segunda RFEF Group 2.
- He will join Israel Under-21 for matches against Slovenia on 29 September and Norway on 6 October.
- Israel sit third in Group G, level on points with second-placed Bosnia.
- Goren is set to miss Barça Atlètic’s games against Peña Sport and Tudelano.
Israel face Slovenia on 29 September before travelling into the Norway match on 6 October. The side remain firmly involved in the qualification contest: they are third in the group but have the same points total as Bosnia, who currently occupy second place, leaving the playoff route within reach.
For Belletti, the international recognition brings an awkward interruption to the reserve team schedule. Goren is due to feature away at Barbastro on Sunday before leaving for national-team duty.
That journey will rule him out of Barça Atlètic’s home meeting with Peña Sport on 26 September and the trip against Tudelano on 4 October. His absence removes a player who has already impressed beyond the academy level, including during Hansi Flick’s first-team pre-season programme.
Goren’s rise has been rapid in Catalonia and now extends across the Mediterranean to the Israeli set-up. A teenager playing senior reserve football in Spain, he will arrive with an Under-21 squad chasing a meaningful position in the 2027 qualifying table.
