Soccer

Maccabi Tel Aviv downs Haifa in Classico to reach State Cup final

The Israeli Classico, one of the biggest matches that the Holy Land can offer between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa, is always an anticipated clash.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV players celebrate their 3-2 victory over Maccabi Haifa in the State Cup semifinal at Teddy Stadium.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) awards US President Donald Trump (L) with the FIFA Peace Prize, December 5, 2025; illustrative.

FIFA considers requesting Trump to issue ICE raid moratorium during World Cup - report

FIFA is exploring the possibility of requesting US President Donald Trump to pause ICE raids during the World Cup, hoping FIFA chief Gianni Infantino's relationship with him could leverage policy.

|ByJAMES GENN
GONZALEZ SCORES for Beitar Jerusalem just 30 seconds into the derby, sending his club on its way to a 2-0 win.

Beitar rules Jerusalem derby; Beersheba takes first

Hapoel coach Ziv Arie lamented the slow start but noted his side created chances, while goalkeeper Nadav Zamir admitted the early goal made the match difficult.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV coach Oded Katash and his team's Euroleague postseason hopes are hanging by a thread, as the 51-year-old Israeli signed a three-year extension this week to remain on the yellow-and-blue sideline.

Hapoel Tel Aviv eyes Euroleague playoffs while Maccabi prays for spot

Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Fenerbahce 95-80 as the Reds closed in on clinching a playoff spot with a record of 22-13. Meanwhile, a crucial contest awaits Maccabi as its aspirations are questioned.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

When Jewish athletes dominated Polish sport: A lost legacy

From soccer to fencing, Jewish athletes once dominated Polish sports, and now their story is being told in Ramat Gan.

JANUARY 17, 2026ByBARRY DAVIS
The Maccabi Krakow ice hockey team in full flow during a game in 1934.

Maccabi Tel Aviv survives derby, State Cup quarterfinals set

Derbies, upsets, and penalty drama, the Israel State Cup delivers again as Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jaffa, and Bnei Yehuda advance to the quarterfinals.

JANUARY 16, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV ’keeper Ofek Melika makes a save during the penalty shoot-out of the yellow-and-blue’s 1-1 (5-4) State Cup victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv to advance to the quarterfinals

Israel's Manor Solomon enjoying life playing for Fiorentina

Israeli winger Manor Solomon was unveiled as a Fiorentina player, discussing his move to Serie A, differences between leagues, and his focus on football rather than politics.

JANUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Manor Solomon of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Artemio Franchi on January 11, 2026 in Florence, Italy.

Xavi Alonso leaves Real Madrid by mutual agreement after loss to Barcelona in Super Cup final

"Real Madrid will always be his home," the club said in a statement.

JANUARY 12, 2026ByREUTERS, JAMES GENN
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso during a press conference, January 10, 2026; illustrative.

Beitar Jerusalem grabs share of first place in win against Maccabi Bnei Reineh

Beersheba still tops table on goal difference • Macaabi Tel Aviv edges Sakhnin • Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel TA draw

JANUARY 11, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate with Timoti Muzie (center) after his 33rd-minute tally provided all the scoring in Beitar’s 1-0 win over Maccabi Bnei Reineh.

Maccabi Haifa displays misogynistic banner during derby soccer match with Hapoel Haifa

The banner showed an offensive, violent, and misogynistic picture of a female fan with the Hapoel Haifa shirt, and caused widespread criticism.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Maccabi Haifa banner displaying an offensive, violent, and misogynistic picture of a female fan.

Maccabi Haifa wins north soccer derby against Hapoel Haifa 2-0

It may not have been one of the Haifa derbies that will go down in the annals of history, but it did offer some sense of closure for Maccabi after what went down last May.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI HAIFA midfielder Eitan Azoulay (back) celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal in the 2-0 derby victory over city rival Hapoel Haifa in Israel Premier League action.

Israelis banned from UK sports arena for their own protection, new evidence suggests

Maccabi fan ban was driven by threats against Israelis, not from them; police hid evidence from Home Affairs Committee

JANUARY 6, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
POLICE OFFICERS detain a protester outside the stadium during the match, Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv, Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain, November 6, 2025

Maccabi Tel Aviv keeps pace in Third with conquest of Hapoe

After a fairly even opening 20 minutes, Mathew Cudjoe’s reckless tackle on Helder Lopes saw the midfielder sent off, leaving Sakhnin with only 10 men.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
One of Hapoel Beersheba's Kings Kangwa with teammates and one of Beersheba's Dan Bitton celebrating goals

Eran Zahavi announces retirement, bringing an era of Israeli soccer to a close

After months of speculation and deliberation, the all-time leading scorer of the Israel national team confirmed that he will not return to the pitch.

JANUARY 1, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ERAN ZAHAVI, the all-time leading scorer of the Israel national team, bid farewell to the pitch at 38, closing the curtain on a legendary career defined by goals, records and unforgettable moments.