Sports

The Maccabiah Games’ crucial role in shaping Zionism and aliyah

Since the quota for olim had been cut by the British, the Maccabiah offered a great opportunity to come but not leave.

|ByDAVID GEFFEN
No. 38: Larry Frank playing for Vanderbilt University.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) interacts with the President of the Palestine Football Association Jibril Rajoub as the Vice-President of Israel Football Association Basim Sheikh Suliman (L) looks on during a heated moment in the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30, 2026.

Palestinian FA chief hits out at Israeli federation VP at FIFA Congress

Both men were called to the stand by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who put his hand on the Palestinian FA chief's arm and, with a gesture, invited him to come closer to the Israeli FA VP.

|ByREUTERS
BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate amid a roaring Teddy Stadium crowd as the capital club has surged into first place in a thrilling and tightly contested title race.

Beitar Jerusalem climbs to the summit as three-way title race reaches fever pitch

As each day goes by, it becomes a day closer to the end of the season and a chance to take home the elusive title, one that Beitar Jerusalem has not won since the 2007/08 season.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
GILI LUSTIG is honored this week at a special tribute event in Tel Aviv celebrating more than 40 years of leadership and impact in Israeli sport.

Gili Lustig honored for four decades of transforming Olympic sports in Israel

Held at the Enav Center on Monday, the event celebrated 68-year-old Lustig’s remarkable journey, including 12 years as CEO of the Olympic Committee of Israel

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

Omri Airlines: The meteoric rise of Israeli midfielder Gandelman with Italy’s Lecce

Gandelman has transformed into the “new face” of US Lecce in just a few short weeks, a player in the right place at the right time to secure a vital 2-1 victory.

MARCH 11, 2026ByITAY GODER
WHETHER AT the club level for US Lecce or playing for the Israel national team Omri Gandelman has become a reliable contributor and fan favorite.

Amid war at home, Iran women push on at Asian Cup despite family fears

The conflict erupted after Israel and the US launched air strikes on Iran over the weekend, killing the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after which Iran launched missiles in response.

MARCH 4, 2026ByREUTERS
Fatemeh Pasandideh of Iran during the AFC Women's Asian Cup Group A match between South Korea and Iran at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, March 2, 2026.

Iranian women's soccer team refuses to sing national anthem, chess player calls out regime

The players' actions came as Israel continued its war against Iran in the form of Operation Roaring Lion. As the war progressed, Israel successfully eliminated many of the country's leaders.

MARCH 4, 2026ByTZVI JASPER
MEMBERS OF the Islamic Republic of Iran team pose prior to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Group A match between South Korea and Iran at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, March 2, 2026.

Israel basketball national team beats Cyprus, qualifies for next round of World Cup qualifiers

With the 83-54 victory on Sunday night, Israel punched its ticket to the second stage of qualifying and is now 2-2 and in third place in Group E.

MARCH 3, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
The Israel national team celebrates its 83-54 victory over Cyprus with visiting Israeli fans in Limassol on Sunday night.

Victories overshadowed: War halts Israeli hoops momentum

Hapoel Tel Aviv finally snapped its five-game losing streak, while Maccabi Tel Aviv recorded an important win that will keep it in the postseason race as their respective campaigns head into March.

MARCH 2, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ELIJAH BRYANT and Hapoel Tel Aviv snapped their Euroleague losing streak against Milano just before the war with Iran broke out.

From player to mentor: Cory Carr helps power Maccabi Tel Aviv’s championship culture - interview

Since retiring from the NBA close to 10 years ago, Cory Carr has been plying his trade as a coach with a number of clubs in the Holy Land, but also working with players on an individual basis.

FEBRUARY 27, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
CORY CARR’S behind-the-scenes player development work has played a pivotal role in Maccabi Tel Aviv’s success this season.

Beitar’s ‘Crazy 8s’: Yitzchaki’s faith rewarded in historic Netanya rout - comment

When Beitar Jerusalem started to score, score, and score some more this week at Maccabi Netanya, you could feel that the floodgates had opened and there was history in the making.

FEBRUARY 25, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM coach Barak Yitzchaki oversees his side’s emphatic 8-2 victory this week over Maccabi Netanya, a result that reignited the club’s league title charge.

Beitar runs riot over Netanya to remain in title race

Elsewhere, Hapoel Petah Tikva slipped by Maccabi Haifa 1-0 as Mamady Diarra scored the lone goal of the match in the 59th minute to take the points and stay in the Championship Playoff picture.

FEBRUARY 25, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
IT WAS a full team effort for Beitar Jerusalem at Maccabi Netanya, with the capital city side featuring seven different scorers in an 8-2 away rout in league play.

World champions with no leagues: The broken pipeline for Israel's female athletes

Why Israel’s young female athletes still struggle to find the infrastructure, funding, and professional pathways their male counterparts take for granted

FEBRUARY 24, 2026ByMAYA ZANGER-NADIS
Nili Block’s first Combat Sambo competition in 2024 vs Croatia.

Tel Aviv teams keep winning while Jerusalem, Beersheba clubs triumph

Maccabi Tel Aviv cruised past Ironi Ness Ziona 111-80, Hapoel Tel Aviv got by Hapoel Holon 89-83, Hapoel Jerusalem downed Maccabi Ramat Gan 97-87, and Hapoel Beersheba crushed Maccabi Ra’anana.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
AFTER A lengthy injury absence, Lonnie Walker found his form right away in his return for Maccabi Tel Aviv, scoring 18 points in the yellow-and-blue 111-80 league win over Ironi Ness Ziona.