FIFA

Iran to play its final World Cup warm-up match behind closed doors, head to Mexico on Saturday

The soccer team, staff, and Iranian citizens can enter the US for the event, but officials with ties to the regime will be barred from attending.

|ByREUTERS
Members of Iran's national soccer team attend a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026.
A DJI Matrice 350 RTK, operated by NJ Transit, flies over an Emergency Response Drill and training exercise at the NJ Transit Meadowlands Rail Line at MetLife Stadium, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, US, April 18, 2026.

US bars drone flights over sites of World Cup matches

The US Federal Aviation Administration said that drone operators who enter restricted airspace without approval can face fines of up to $100,000.

|ByREUTERS
A MAN gestures as people gather at a farewell ceremony for Iran’s national soccer team ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup, in Tehran, in May 2026.

FIFA and Iran’s identity crisis - opinion

Iranians believe that regimes come and go, but the cultural and historical idea of Iran persists beyond any single political order.

|ByNEGAR KARAMATI
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. PremiumPremium

Red card diplomacy: Palestine’s handshake foul rattles FIFA ahead of 2026 World Cup

Palestinian Football Association turns the World Cup tournament into a game of political football

|ByGIL ZOHAR

FIFA 2026 world cup draws over 1.5 million ticket requests in 24 hours

Fans registered in the Visa Pre‑Sale Draw, a lottery‑style application that gave applicants a chance to buy tickets during the first phase of sales for the largest edition in World Cup history.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israel's Tai Baribo shoots at goal in the World Cup qualifying match against Italy, in Debrecen, Hungary, September 8, 2025.

What can the Israel team expect if it reaches the FIFA World Cup 2026?

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025ByISAAC KAPLAN
The Israeli team is ready to play in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

‘Game Over Israel’ campaign seeks to bench Israeli soccer players, teams on global stage

International soccer fan groups are seeking to have Israel's national team barred from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
A billboard in Times Square displays the message "Soccer Federations: Boycott Israel" as part of the campaign by Game Over Israel calling for a boycott of Israel by national soccer federations, in New York City, U.S., September 16, 2025

Israel's soccer team loses 5-4 to Italy in close-fought FIFA World Cup qualifier

Israel scored four goals but fell to Italy in a nine-goal clash in Hungary. The defeat drops Israel to third, with crucial matches vs. Norway and Italy ahead.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
Israel's Manor Solomon in action with Italy's Riccardo Orsolini, World Cup qualifying in Hungary's Debrecen, September 8, 2025.

Israel defeats host Estonia 3-1, dedicates win to soldiers

Both sides had chances early on, but it was Estonia who would find the back of the goal first as Mattias Kait beat Bayern Munich’s keeper Daniel Peretz for a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute.

JUNE 8, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL'S DAN BITTON scores his side’s first goal during the blue-and-white’s 3-1 road victory over Estonia in their Group I World Cup qualifier.

The Beautiful Game, the Israeli Way

MAY 5, 2025ByTAMI DEMSKY

Voices from the Arab press: Syria after Assad: Four urgent challenges

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

DECEMBER 20, 2024ByTHE MEDIA LINE
A TORN portrait of deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad inside the ransacked Presidential Palace in Damascus, December 10, 2024.

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.

FIFA to investigate alleged discrimination by Israel raised by Palestine FA

In its proposal, the PFA wanted FIFA to adopt "appropriate sanctions" against Israeli teams, including the national side and clubs.

OCTOBER 3, 2024ByREUTERS
Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub speaks during the 74th FIFA Congress, May 17, 2024, in Bangkok.

FIFA delay again review of Palestinian call to suspend Israel

The PFA had submitted a proposal to suspend Israel in May, with FIFA ordering an urgent legal evaluation and promising to address it at an extraordinary meeting of its council in July.

AUGUST 31, 2024ByREUTERS
Demonstrators gathered outside the South African Football Association building to demand that FIFA suspend Israel's membership, March 16, 2024, in Johannesburg.