Israeli football

UEFA opens probe into alleged misconduct during Ireland-Israel soccer match

The investigation follows reports of possible player misconduct during Ireland’s Nations League fixture against Israel, played behind closed doors in Serbia.

|ByREUTERS
Israel's players (L) and the Republic of Ireland's players (R) stand alongside the officials for the national anthems ahead of the UEFA Nations League Group B3 football match between the Republic of Ireland and Israel at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola on October 4, 2026.
Daniel Peretz, Nikita Stoinov, Raz Shlomo, Eliel Peretz of Israel line up for national anthem during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Israel and Republic of Ireland at Nagyerdei Stadion on September 27, 2026 in Debrecen, Hungary.

Israel-Ireland soccer match ends with 1-1 draw, Israeli team wears black armbands in Oct. 7 tribute

According to UEFA rules, black armbands require prior approval and are reserved for recognized tragedies, national mourning, or the deaths of prominent soccer figures.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
RAN BEN SHIMON faces mounting questions over his leadership of Israel’s national team following the blue-and-white’s disappointing Nations League start.

Blue-and-white National Team needs accountability, not more excuses, after last loss - analysis

The question facing the IFA is no longer simply how Israel can recover from one disappointing defeat. The time for excuses is over. The time for accountability is now.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Republic of Ireland's Ryan Manning with teammates during the warm up before the match.

Irish soccer team wears black armbands, refuse to shake Israeli players' hands during match

The decision follows several conflicts amid the team, with players even demanding not to play the game due to the war in Gaza.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

'Not like Russia': Israel will not be banned from soccer games

The announcement comes amid a call to boycott the Israeli team in world games by 12 countries. 

FEBRUARY 9, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier - Group I - Andorra v Israel - Estadi Nacional, Andorra La Vella, Andorra - November 21, 2023 Israel players pose for a team group photo before the match

Israeli teams hitting stride on the pitch

Mac TA edges Netanya • Refaelov, Mac Haifa beat Hapoel in derby • Berkowitz grabs draw for Beitar vs Sakhnin

DECEMBER 19, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ERAN ZAHAVI once again came to the rescue for Maccabi Tel Aviv, scoring the game-winning goal on a second-half penalty in the yellow-and-blue's 2-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya.

Puma to terminate sponsorship of Israel's national soccer team - FT

Puma made the decision to stop supporting Israel's national soccer squad because of financial reasons.

DECEMBER 12, 2023ByREUTERS
Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier - Group I - Andorra v Israel - Estadi Nacional, Andorra La Vella, Andorra - November 21, 2023 Israel players pose for a team group photo before the match

130 Gaza border area kids taken to Hungary to watch Israeli soccer team

"We want to provide an opportunity for the people of Israel to unite around an event that embodies national pride and a triumph for the Blue and White," the initiative's organizer said.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023ByJOANIE MARGULIES
A delegation of Israelis flew to Hungary to watch their national team compete against Romania and Switzerland.

Teams find rhythm before international break

Mac Haifa edges Hap Jerusalem • Mac TA handles Hadera • Beitar notches road win at Ashdod

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV continued its strong start to the Israel Premier League season with a 3-0 victory over Hapoel Hadera this week at Netanya Stadium

Why has Israel been hosting so many international sports tournaments?

In recent years, Israel has hosted European and global tournaments in lacrosse, flag football and athletics, and will soon add volleyball, water polo and baseball to the list.

AUGUST 5, 2023ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA
MANY OF players who suited up for Team Israel at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 will be back donning the blue-and-white this month at the World Baseball Classic, where Israel will be playing in Pool D in Miami.

2023 European Athletics Under-20 Championships open in Jerusalem

The president of the Israeli Athletics Associationsaid Israel hosting so many tournaments has broken a glass ceiling in terms of Israel’s standing in the world, both politically and in sports.

AUGUST 4, 2023ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA
ANAN KHALAILI (left) is the latest sporting hero for Israel. The 18-year-old Sakhnin native scored a dramatic stoppage-time goal to send the blue-and-white to a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the last-16 of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina

England blanks blue-and-white at U21 Euros

With a loss, a draw and just one group game left, National Team must beat the Czechs and get help to advance.

JUNE 28, 2023ByURIEL STURM
Picture of England midfielder Emile Smith Rowe

Blue-and-white to host Andorra in Euro 2024 qualifying match

Friday's win against Belarus allowed Israel to stay in qualification contention after only having picked up a single point in its opening pair of games.

JUNE 18, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL TEAMMATES celebrate a goal by Oscar Gloukh that, at the time, gave the blue-and-white a 1-0 lead in what ended as a 3-1 loss to England in the Under-19 European Championship final in Trnava, Slovakia.

Israel reaches FIFA Under 20 World Cup quarterfinals with 0:1 victory

Israel successfully claimed victory just minutes before the end of the match, scoring a goal at the 97th-minute mark.

MAY 31, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ANAN KHALAILI (left) is the latest sporting hero for Israel. The 18-year-old Sakhnin native scored a dramatic stoppage-time goal to send the blue-and-white to a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the last-16 of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina