Israeli football

Israel's Manor Solomon enjoying life playing for Fiorentina

Israeli winger Manor Solomon was unveiled as a Fiorentina player, discussing his move to Serie A, differences between leagues, and his focus on football rather than politics.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Manor Solomon of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Artemio Franchi on January 11, 2026 in Florence, Italy.
‘YOU DON'T choose when to take things seriously,’ said Israel coach Ran Ben Shimon this week before the national team’s final qualifier in Moldova.

Israel national soccer team aims to finish 2026 World Cup qualifiers on a strong note

Ben Shimon & Co. close World Cup qualifiers at Moldova seeking redemption, growth, and steps toward future success

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
View of an Israel Police vehicle.

Two National League players, former player arrested for rape in Tel Aviv

Two National League players and a former player are arrested after a 29-year-old US tourist accuses them of rape during her stay in Tel Aviv.

|ByHODAYA RAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV's Ali Camara celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal to lift the yellow-and-blue to a 2-1 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem at Bloomfield Stadium.

Dramatic weekend in Israeli Premier League, Maccabi Tel Aviv snatch 2-1 win over Hapoel Jerusalem

At Bloomfield Stadium, Maccabi Tel Aviv left it late to snatch a 2-1 win over Hapoel Jerusalem; Beitar Jerusalem also had to dig deep, edging Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-1 at Teddy Stadium.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Palestinian flag causes tension at Israel’s first U-20 World Cup game

On Sunday, Israel lost 2-1 in the first match of the first round of the U-20 World Cup, which features the world’s best soccer talent under 20 years old.

MAY 23, 2023ByJUAN MELAMED/JTA
A demonstrator holding an umbrella with colors of Palestinian flag stands by an Israeli flag during a protest.

Israel's young soccer stars fall to Colombia at U20s World Cup

Despite valiant effort and even taking 1-0 second-half lead, Israel surrenders two late tallies in defeat • Senegal on tap

MAY 22, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
COLOMBIA'S OSCAR CORTES scores his side’s first goal past Israel ’keeper Tomer Zarfati from the penalty spot in the 74th minute of the blue-and-white’s 2-1 loss to the South American side at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina

Mac Haifa closes in on title by beating yellow-and-blue

“We scored first and had other opportunities to score as well,” Maccabi coach Aitor Karanka said. “One mistake cost us a lot. We’ve had a tough week with the loss here and in the State Cup..."

MAY 9, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI HAIFA players celebrated during their 3-1 victory over visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv this week at Sammy Ofer Stadium.

New coach, new era for Maccabi Tel Aviv

After Ivic leaves, Goldhar hands keys to yellow-and-blue to heralded Spaniard Aitor Karanka

JANUARY 9, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV’S new coach Aitor Karanka got straight down to business, beginning his yellow-and-blue tenure with a 3-0 victory over Ashdod SC.

Smotrich demands Israeli soccer to stop playing during Shabbat

Chairman of Religious Zionist party, Bezalel Smotrich sent a letter to the Israeli professional football leagues demanding they stop playing during Shabat.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Religious Zionist leader MK Bezalel Smotrich.

Greens back in 1st place after Maccabi Tel Aviv falls

Mac Haifa tops Ashdod, Beersheba blanks yellow-and-blue • Hap Jerusalem wins, Beitar draws

NOVEMBER 1, 2022ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Rotem Hatuel (front) celebrates after his 59th-minute goal during Hapoel Beersheba’s 2-0 victory over visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv on Monday night at Turner Stadium.

Maccabi Haifa stun Juventus in famous Champions League victory

Pair of goals from Atzili coupled with dominant defense led Greens to upset victory • third place in play with two games left

OCTOBER 12, 2022ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI HAIFA teammates celebrate after Omer Atzili's first goal in the seventh minute sent the Greens on their way to a shocking 2-0 victory over Juventus on Tuesday night in their Champions League Group H clash at Sammy Ofer Stadium

Maccabi Haifa suffers setback vs Hapoel Jerusalem

Greens surrender first place with surprising defeat in the capital • Maccabi Tel Aviv routs Beitar.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL JERUSALEM (in red) earned perhaps its biggest victory since being promoted last year, beating reigning Israeli champion Maccabi Haifa 3-0 at Teddy Stadium

Maccabi Haifa impress Europe in Champions League defeat to Messi's PSG

Despite scoring the first goal of the match, the Israeli champions were downed by the Parisian stars in a fearless display against the French champions.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022ByTAL SPUNGIN
Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi in action with Maccabi Haifa's Josh Cohen

Israeli winners Maccabi Haifa qualify for Champions League

This is the first time an Israeli side has qualified for the Champions League since 2015 • for Haifa, this is the third qualification in the club's history

AUGUST 23, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
MACCABI HAIFA players had plenty to celebrate this week after beating host Olympiacos 4-0 in their Champions League second-leg duel to move on to the third qualifying round with a 5-1 aggregate victory