1 New Sheqel 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany

Israel's commemorative program for the 2006 FIFA World Cup was issued two years ahead of the tournament — standard practice for the Bank of Israel's pre-event collector series. The host nation, Germany, was awarded the tournament in July 2000 in a FIFA Executive Committee vote that famously came down to a single deciding ballot, with New Zealand delegate Charlie Dempsey abstaining under disputed circumstances rather than casting the vote that would have given the hosting rights to South Africa.