Israel will open its World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign away to Azerbaijan on September 7.

The team, currently managed by Luis Fernandez, welcome Russia to Ramat Gan four days later.

The fixtures for Group F, which see Israel also pitted alongside Portugal, , Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg, were decided today when heads of the national football associations met in Luxembourg.

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is scheduled to visit Ramat Gan with Portugal on March 23 next year while Israel will travel to Belfast to meet Northern Ireland four days later - coinciding with the second Passover seder night of that year.

Israel finishes its campaign with tough away matches against Russia and Portugal before hosting Northern Ireland for the final game in October 2013.

Israel is yet to name a new national manager to succeed Luis Fernandez who led Israel to third place behind Greece and Croatia in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Eli Guttman, the former Hapoel Tel Aviv boss, remains the strong favourite.

Israel FA chairman Avi Luzon said: "There is no rush to name a new manager.

"We will start considering the candidates in January."

The winners of the nine European groups qualify automatically and the eight best runners-up play off for the four places remaining.

Israel’s World Cup qualifying campaign schedule
September 7, 2012 – Azerbaijan (a)
September 11 – Russia (h)
October 12 – Luxembourg (a)
October 16 – Luxembourg (h)
March 22, 2013 – Portugal (h)
March 26 - Northern Ireland (a)
September 6 - Azerbaijan (h)
September 10 - Russia (a)
October 11 - Portugal (a)
October 15 - Northern Ireland

* There is a possibility Friday night games could be changed to Saturday night