Soccer

Roots, Ronaldo, and regional rivalries: How Israelis choose their World Cup favorites

Israelis, without a team of their own in the football tournament, are adopting other nations to root for during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Israeli kids watch a World Cup match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at an outdoor screening in Jaffa, June 23, 2026.
Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh scores a goal past Egypt's Mostafa Shoubir that was later disallowed, June 26, 2026.

Time to go home: Iran's World Cup dream ends after Austria's last-gasp equalizer sends them out

Alex Baena #15 of Spain celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Uruguay and Spain at Guadalajara Stadium on June 26, 2026; Illustrative.

US seizes nearly 400 websites that were illegally streaming World Cup, DOJ says

CLOSE, PERSONAL friend: Famous Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff, inside Amsterdam’s Ajax Arena Stadium.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, remember: Jewish players need serious rabbinical advice - opinion


Beersheba wins, overtakes Beitar Jerusalem in Israeli Premier League title race

Navot Ratner’s header gave Barak Bachar’s side a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute, while former Beitar forward Silva Kani doubled the advantage in the 60th minute.

MACCABI HAIFA players celebrate their final goal in the 3-0 victory over Beitar Jerusalem in Israeli Premier League action on Saturday at Sammy Ofer Stadium.

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.

 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.

Iranian FA says will meet FIFA to seek World Cup assurances in next few days

Canada, which is co-hosting the June 11 to July 19 World Cup with the US and Mexico, said it refused entry to Taj last week because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

DRAW ASSISTANT Tom Brady, Draw assistant Shaquille O’Neal, Co-Conductor Samantha Johnson, FIFA Legend Rio Ferdinand, Draw assistant Aaron Judge and Draw assistant Wayne Gretzky stand on stage as Iran is illuminated on the screen during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw.

Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Ronny Deila reveals he is suspect in taxi driver sexual harassment case

Deila allegedly made crass comments to the driver upon arriving at his destination after a night out drinking.

 Maccabi Tel Aviv's new head coach Ronny Deila.

Beitar defeats Maccabi Tel Aviv in the capital

Jerusalem maintains a slim one-point lead over Hapoel Beersheba in the title race, as Yellow-and-blue is fading.

BEITAR JERUSALEM captain Yarden Shua (front) celebrates after scoring in the 4-2 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at Teddy Stadium.

‘Not FIFA’s job’: Norway soccer chief calls to scrap FIFA Peace Prize after Trump award

In December 2025, FIFA awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, with the stated goal of “reward[ing] individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace."

US President Donald Trump (L) speaks after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, District of Columbia, USA Dec 5, 2025.

Palestinian FA chief hits out at Israeli federation VP at FIFA Congress

Both men were called to the stand by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who put his hand on the Palestinian FA chief's arm and, with a gesture, invited him to come closer to the Israeli FA VP.

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, 2026.

Beitar Jerusalem climbs to the summit as three-way title race reaches fever pitch

As each day goes by, it becomes a day closer to the end of the season and a chance to take home the elusive title, one that Beitar Jerusalem has not won since the 2007/08 season.

BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate amid a roaring Teddy Stadium crowd as the capital club has surged into first place in a thrilling and tightly contested title race.

FIFA head announces no changes to Iran's World Cup schedule as protestors demand team ban

Protesters gathered outside the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, calling for the Iranian team to be banned from the upcoming World Cup for representing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Protesters react as they hold demonstration placards outside the Vancouver Convention Centre during the 76th FIFA Congress on April 30, 2026.

Iranian soccer officials claim 'inappropriate behavior' at Toronto airport

The Iranian delegation was on its way to Vancouver for the FIFA Congress, set to host representatives of all 211 member associations.

A runway at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 13, 2025.