Israeli football

Visa denials and protests shadow FIFA as World Cup kicks off

Iran’s World Cup delegation says FIFA has failed to secure US entry for several officials, with 15 federation members denied visas ahead of the tournament, urging compliance with its rules.

|ByREUTERS
Team IR Iran Airport Arrival - FIFA World Cup 2026 TIJUANA, MEXICO - JUNE 07: Members of the Iranian national soccer team including midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh (R) arrive at Tijuana International Airport on June 7, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. The team's World Cup participation has been complicated
Beitar Jerusalem players celebrate after scoring the lone goal of their 1-0 victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium, a result that kept them in first place.

Beitar Jerusalem keeps control of tight championship race

The rough-and-tumble win kept the yellow-and-black in first place by a point over Hapoel Beersheba, while Hapoel fell for the first time this season at Bloomfield Stadium.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Southampton's Daniel Peretz celebrates after Shea Charles scores their second goal.

Why Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is making headlines in Britain

Peretz emerged as one of the more talked-about figures in British football coverage after helping Southampton beat Arsenal for the British FA Cup.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
MACCABI HAIFA goalkeeper Georgiy Yermakov remains in Israel during the league’s wartime pause, while balancing the reality of conflict in both his homeland of Ukraine and his adopted home.

Maccabi Haifa goalkeeper Yermakov’s resolve in uncertain times

Some foreign players have left Israel and plan to return once the situation calms down. Some, like Georgiy Yermakov, have stayed.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Beersheba stays on top as Hadera relegated

"The guys did give everything, they are committed, team-oriented and I am very proud of them even when they lose," Haifa coach Roni Levy said.

APRIL 21, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MATAN BALTAXA (right) celebrates after his 53rd-minute goal against Hapoel Haifa, which held up as the game winner in Hapoel Beersheba’s 2-1 victory.

Beitar Jerusalem to battle Bnei Reineh in State Cup semifinals

Beitar Jerusalem beat Bnei Sakhnin 3-0 after a goalless first half.

APRIL 8, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
YARDEN SHUA scored and set up another goal in Beitar Jerusalem's 3-0 State Cup quarterfinal victory over Bnei Sakhnin.

Israel edges Estonia 2-1 to start 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a win

Eli Dasa’s first international goal secures Israel’s 2-1 victory over Estonia in World Cup qualifying match.

MARCH 24, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL DEFENDER Eli Dasa (right) scores his side’s second goal past Estonia ’keeper Matvei Igonen in the 75th minute of the blue-and-white 2-1 World Cup qualification victory at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary.

Israel’s ‘Reserve Team’ youth train with National Team coach, players

“We are happy to host these wonderful children, whose parents have served the country during the war, at the home of Israel’s national team,” said Ben Shimon.

MARCH 9, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
A GROUP of children of IDF reservists pose during a training session with members of the National Team in Shefayim.

Liga Alef North suspended amid match-fixing scandal

IFA halts Liga Alef North over match-fixing scandal. A special committee probes deeper corruption—what’s next for Israeli football?

FEBRUARY 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
THE WIDESPREAD allegations of match-fixing in Israel's lower leagues led to yesterday suspension of the Ligat Alef North season.

Israel's soccer leagues face allegations of serious match-fixing

The IFA plans to collaborate closely with the Israel Police to pursue immediate indictments against those implicated.

FEBRUARY 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Chairman Shino Zuaretz addresses the media yesterday regarding the investigation into widespread match-fixing in the lower league of Israeli soccer.

Israeli soccer player Yaniv Bazini leads Vermont to historic NCAA title

Faith, focus, and soccer: How Israeli soccer player Yaniv Bazini scored big for a US college title.

FEBRUARY 13, 2025ByBECCA WEINBERG
ISRAELI SOCCER player Yaniv Bazini celebrates after helping lead the University of Vermont to the NCCA Division I championship in December.

Norway requests FIFA investigate Israel before World Cup

The Norwegian Football Federation president said she stands behind her government's call to end the war in Gaza.

DECEMBER 20, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Norway's Jens Petter Hauge celebrates with teammates.

Eyes on 2026: Road to World Cup begins for the Israel national team

Despite some nerves, the blue-and-white are working hard to make their 2026 World Cup dreams a reality

DECEMBER 18, 2024ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MANOR SOLOMON (pictured above in a Israel-Belarus Euro 2024 qualifier in September 2023) and the National Team hope to soon get back to playing at Bloomfield Stadium as the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign is set to kick off.

Justice Ministry spearheads anti-racism program with Beitar Jerusalem FC Youth Team

The youth players met with Ismaila Soro and Zohar Zasno, players from the senior team, to discuss how racism impacts the club.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Beitar Jerusalem Youth Team players participating in anti-racism workshop produced by the Justice Ministry and "Matzmihim" anti-racism organization, September 27, 2024.