soccer

Top PA official:

'Expel Israel from all international soccer institutions'

Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestinian Authority soccer association, calls at a press conference for Israel to be expelled from all international soccer bodies.

Australia:

Three Iranian women's soccer team members reverse asylum bid

Three members of Iran's women's soccer delegation withdraw asylum requests in Australia and decide to return home, leaving only three from the original group still seeking to remain in the country.

Regime Sports Minister:

Iran will not participate in World Cup

Iran's Sports Minister says his country will not participate in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be played in the US, after the elimination of Supreme Leader and amid continued strikes on the country.

Australia:

Two more Iranian women’s soccer team members granted asylum

Two more members of Iran’s women’s soccer team granted asylum in Australia, joining five teammates who received humanitarian visas.

Australia grants asylum to five Iranian women’s soccer players

Australia grants asylum to five Iranian women’s soccer players who face safety fears at home after remaining silent during the anthem at the Asian Cup.

Trump calls for asylum

Fears grow for Iranian women’s soccer team after anthem protest

Iran’s women’s soccer team faces safety fears after remaining silent during the anthem at the Asian Cup, prompting Trump to urge Australia to grant asylum.

Real Madrid fan removed for giving Nazi salute

During the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Portugal's Benfica, a fan was photographed giving a Nazi salute and was immediately removed from the stadium.

Ireland to play Israel in soccer despite seeking its expulsion

Ireland’s soccer association confirms it will play Israel in the 2026 UEFA Nations League, despite a previous call for Israel’s expulsion over alleged violations of UEFA’s statutes.

Civil Administration:

Illegal soccer field near Carmel to be demolished

Civil Administration has ordered the demolition of an illegal soccer field that was built in the village of Umm al-Khir on state land in Area C.

'Boycotts are a defeat'

FIFA chief rejects calls to ban Israel

FIFA President Gianni Infantino rejects calls to ban Israel, calling boycotts a “defeat" and urging rule changes to prevent countries from being barred over political leaders’ actions.

Israeli journalist 'disgusted' by ancient prayer

Rina Matzliah said during a taxpayer-funded broadcast that she did not understand why soccer players recite the Biblical verse and called the phenomenon 'disgusting.'

'The nicest tunnel is here'

Matan Angrest returns to the soccer pitch

At Maccabi Haifa’s match against Maccabi Tel Aviv, captivity survivor Matan Agrest was honored on the field, as singer Benaia Barabi paid tribute and calls were renewed for the return of hostage Ran Gvili.

UK police chief quits over ban on Israeli soccer fans

UK police chief Craig Guildford resigns after a report found West Midlands Police used “greatly exaggerated" intelligence to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.

Rom Braslavski returns to the soccer pitch

Captivity survivor Rom Braslavski makes his long-anticipated return to Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium and is welcomed by a sell-out crowd of Beitar fans.

Irish soccer body votes to push UEFA ban on Israel

Ireland’s soccer body votes to urge UEFA to suspend Israel over alleged rule violations tied to Gaza. The move echoes calls from Turkey, Norway, and UN experts.

Maccabi Tel Aviv declines tickets to UK game following ban

Maccabi Tel Aviv declines tickets for its fans for match against Aston Villa, after UK police barred attendance. The club cites safety concerns and a toxic climate.

Derby disaster:

Hapoel vs. Maccabi match called off amid stadium violence

Derby match between Hapoel and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium canceled due to pyrotechnics and fan violence.

Hezbollah fighter prompted police to ban Israeli fans

Hezbollah fighter 'laid the groundwork' for police's decision to ban Israeli fans from Aston Villa football match by compiling 'safety risk' dossier.

Sa’ar demands UK revoke ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar speaks to UK Foreign Secretary, urges officials to revoke the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.

UK government pushes for all fans to attend Maccabi Tel Aviv game

UK officials working to reverse a police ban on Israeli fans attending Aston Villa’s Nov. 6 match against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

'Wrong decision'

Starmer slams ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans

UK leaders and Jewish groups condemn the decision to ban Israeli soccer fans as antisemitic and shameful.

Citing safety risks

UK police block Israeli fans from Europa League game

Local authorities in Birmingham have barred Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa, citing public safety and protest concerns.

FIFA VP:

'UEFA must rule on Israel’s soccer status'

FIFA VP says UEFA must decide Israel’s football fate amid Gaza war. UEFA delays vote after Trump unveils peace plan.

Amid BDS pressure

Reebok denies pulling logo from Israel soccer uniforms

Reebok denies claims it pulled its logo from Israel’s soccer kits amid BDS pressure, insists its commitment to the team remains unchanged.

Turkey demands Israel’s ban from FIFA, UEFA over Gaza war

Turkey’s soccer chief urges FIFA and UEFA to ban Israel over Gaza war as UEFA prepares emergency vote on possible suspension.

Diego Schwartzman returns to soccer, competing for Jewish club

Argentine tennis star Diego Schwartzman now plays soccer for Barkojba, a Jewish club in Buenos Aires.

Horrifying:

UN protest uses Netanyahu head as soccer ball

Horrifying protest at the UN: Activists use a lifelike Netanyahu head as a soccer ball to denounce the war in Gaza.

Historic: Hapoel Be'er Sheva routs 7-0

After overturning a two-goal deficit to win with four goals in the season opener, Hapoel Be'er Sheva explodes against Ironi Tiberias with a dominant 7-0 victory.

Polish soccer club fined for anti-Israel banner in the stands

Three weeks after the controversial display by Raków Częstochowa supporters during their UEFA Conference League qualifying match against Maccabi Haifa, European football’s governing body has fined the club tens of thousands of euro.

Italian soccer coaches call for Israel's suspension

Italy's Coaches' Association urges the Italian soccer federation to seek Israel's suspension from international competitions.

UEFA President:

'Israel’s participation a legitimate question'

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin asked why Russia is excluded but Israel is not banned from UEFA events, says “this is a legitimate question” and UEFA’s stance on Israel may evolve in the future.

Serious incident in Hungary:

Polish hooligans attack bus carrying Israeli fans

Maccabi Haifa fans were attacked with rocks in Hungary after a banner exchange during a match sparked outrage; Polish officials condemned the Israeli fans' response.

Hostage's brother furious at UEFA’s double standard

Just one day after UEFA displayed a massive anti-Israel banner in Italy, the family of hostage Rom Braslavski was barred from holding signs calling for his return at a match in Bucharest.

Beitar players take field in Riga holding piece of history

Ahead of Beitar Jerusalem’s match in Riga, players honored Jewish resilience by taking the field with a rare World Betar Movement flag hidden during WWII and recently restored.

After fan backlash

German soccer team drops Israeli striker

German club Düsseldorf cancels plans to sign Israeli striker Shon Weissman after fans protest his past Gaza-related posts. Weissman responds, calling October 7 a "black day" and affirming his loyalty to Israel: "Loyalty isn't up for debate."

Iran demands:

'Expel Israel from FIFA over attacks on athletes'

Iran urges FIFA to expel Israel, alleging attacks on athletes during recent military operations, presses IOC to act against Israel for “human rights violations.”

World Cup in doubt for Iran after anti-Israel, US aggression

Iran's threats and hostility toward Israel and the US may cost it a place in the 2026 World Cup, with FIFA reportedly considering disqualification amid rising tensions.

Due to security situation

First foreign soccer player cancels arrival in Israel

Robinho, a Portuguese winger who recently signed with Hapoel Haifa, cancels his move to Israel due to the escalating conflict with Iran, citing safety concerns for himself and his family.

Israeli goalkeeper wins German soccer championship

Two years after moving to Germany, Daniel Peretz has won his first championship in his career with the German club Bayern Munich.

Watch:

Boy injured by firework during soccer match

The police released footage from the moment a firework was launched that hit the chest of a 7.5-year-old boy during the match between Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Haifa.

Yeshiva head:

'I stopped playing soccer to keep Shabbat'

Head of Yeshivat Moriya Rabbi Ahrele Harel says he stopped playing professional soccer for Hapoel Ramat Gan because games were held on Shabbat.

Watch:

Romi Gonen and Emily Damari honored at Bloomfield Stadium

Emily Damari and Romi Gonen, fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Haifa, were the honored guests at the match between the two teams this evening.

League cancels Sakhnin FC loss to Beitar

After a technical loss was ruled against Sakhnin in the game that was canceled against Beitar Jerusalem, the league accepted Sakhnin's appeal and ordered a rematch.

Sakhnin soccer announcer praises Hamas

Israeli journalist and soccer announcer Saeed Hassanein called the IDF an occupying army and Israel an enemy.

UK soccer team owner:

Israel should be dismantled

Malaysian businessman Ruben Gnanalingam, majority stakeholder in UK soccer team, praises Hamas and Hezbollah and advocates for Israel’s eradication.

Be'er Sheva fears violent revenge by Sakhnin

After the last game between the two was canceled due to a violent incident between fans, Hapoel Be'er Sheva will face Sakhnin again and fears reprisal by the Arab team's fans.

After Assad's fall

Syrian soccer changes its logo and colors

Syrian Soccer Federation announces redesign of the team’s logo and kit, changing their color from red to green.

Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Hungary ends without incident

Maccabi Tel Aviv secures 3-1 victory in Europa League match against Besiktas, which was played in an empty stadium in Debrecen, Hungary.

Following pogrom:

Amsterdam bans Italian fans with antisemitic history

City of Amsterdam announces that no traveling fans will be permitted at Ajax Amsterdam's Europa League home game against Italian club Lazio on December 12.

High tensions:

Anti-Israel protests in Paris ahead of soccer match

Anti-Israel activists gathered to protest in the French capital ahead of the game between the Israeli and French national teams which is being held a week after mobs attacked Israeli fans in Amsterdam.

Violent riots in Paris ahead of Israeli soccer team's match

Less than 24 hours before Israel takes on France at the Parc des Princes stadium, pro-Arab activists rioted in the streets of Paris.

Berlin: Jewish soccer players attacked by Muslim spectators

Muslims curse, spit at, and attack Jewish soccer players with knives and clubs, after match in Berlin.

Message of solidarity

Macron to attend France-Israel soccer match

French President's office says his decision to attend Thursday's game aims to "send a message of fraternity and solidarity" after the Amsterdam pogrom.

Uproar after banner erasing Israel allowed by EU soccer league

European Jewish Association calls on Union of European Football Associations to discipline Paris Saint- after fans displayed a huge “Free Palestine” banner covering all of Israel in a keffiyeh.

Paris:

Activists demand cancellation of soccer match featuring Israel

Pro-Palestinian Arab activists, some holding placards with political slogans and PLO flags, protest at French soccer federation headquarters, call to cancel Nations League match between France and Israel.

'She's one of our own'

British football fans chant for hostage's release

Tottenham Hotspurs fans gathered outside the club's stadium before the match to call for the release of Emily Damari, a British citizen and fan of the club who is being held hostage by Hamas.

German soccer club pays tribute to murdered hostage

German soccer club Werder Bremen pays homage to murdered hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin display tribute featuring his portrait alongside the words: "Shalom, Salam, Peace."

Be'er Sheva:

Violence erupts after Arab fans disrespect National Anthem

Supporters of Bnei Sakhnin turned their backs and made crude gestures during the Israeli National Anthem. Supporters of the host Hapoel Be'er Sheva crossed the pitch and attacked the opposing fans.

For the second time:

FIFA postpones ruling on PA's request to ban Israel

World soccer's governing body again delays its decision on a Palestinian Authority bid to have Israel suspended from international soccer over the war in Gaza. A decision is now expected in October.

First time in 48 years:

Israeli team competing in Olympic soccer

For the first time in 1976, Israel returned to Olympic soccer, taking on Mali in its first match at the 2024 Paris Olympics.