World cup soccer

FIFA assigns LGBT-themed World Cup game to Iran, where homosexuality is punishable by death

As with many Islamic countries, homosexuality is outlawed in Iran and punishable by death. Many LGBTQ+ Iranians have fled the country, looking for asylum in the United States or the Middle East.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A match ball is seen in front of a Pride flag during the round 21 A-League Women's match between Newcastle Jets and Western United at No.2 Sportsground, on March 30, 2025, in Newcastle, Australia.
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.

US President DonaldTrump wins FIFA's inaugural peace prize after Nobel controversy

"I don't need prizes. I need to save lives," Trump said. "I saved millions and millions of lives, and that's really what I want to do."

|ByCORINNE BAUM, REUTERS
Official FIFA World Cup 2026 host city poster collection. Toronto, Canada.

Messi's Argentina, Ronaldo's Portugal, alongside best World Cup games to watch from Israel

The games would not be held during the middle of the day, as was the case with many matches during the Club World Cup back in July, mainly because of the high temperatures expected in North America.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., U.S. - December 5, 2025 Musicians Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger perform during the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw

Mexico to kick off 2026 World Cup against South Africa

South Africa are appearing for the first time since 2010, when they drew with Mexico in the opening match but failed to reach the knockout stage.

|ByREUTERS

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

U20 National Team kicks off World Cup

After tournament moved to Argentina, blue-and-white grouped with Japan, Colombia and Senegal

MAY 18, 2023ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MEMBERS OF the Israel Under-20 National Team take part in an event with the Buenos Aires Jewish community this week prior to the start of the FIFA U20 World Cup.

A corny gesture: Argentina farmer grows cornfield shaped like Lionel Messi's face

An agricultural engineer's algorithm calculated exactly where the seeds should be sown. The result: half a million square meters of Lionel Messi.

APRIL 18, 2023ByWALLA! TOURISM
The face of Argentine football star Lionel Messi is depicted in a corn field sown with a special algorithm to plant seeds in a certain pattern to create a huge visual image when the corn plants grow, in Los Condores, on the outskirts of Cordoba, Argentina January 15, 2023.

After refusal to host Israel, Indonesia stripped of under-20 soccer World Cup

Indonesia's football federation said it had canceled the draw after the governor of the island of Bali refused to host Israel's team.

MARCH 29, 2023ByREUTERS
People carry placards during a protest against Israel outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 21, 2021.

'I considered performing naked' - Argentina's nat'l anthem singer

Lali Espósito, who had been harassed the night that Argentina won the FIFA World Cup, told about the surprising thought that crossed her mind that night.

JANUARY 11, 2023ByWALLA!
19th Latin Grammy Awards – Photo Room – Las Vegas

The World Cup is over. Will Qatar honor the AlUla agreement?

Qatar did not agree to the 13 conditions imposed by the boycotting countries – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and experts expect Qatar to return to its previous activities

JANUARY 9, 2023ByTHE MEDIA LINE
A general view shows Pearl Island, an artificial island spanning nearly four square kilometres, ahead of the FIFA 2022 World Cup soccer tournament at Katara Cultural Village in Doha, Qatar November 17, 2022.

Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Middle East, signs with Saudi team

The deal between Ronaldo and the Saudi Arabian team is said to last until 2025.

DECEMBER 31, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A general view of an Al Nassr soccer jersey and Cristiano Ronaldo's surname and number on a heat press, after it was announced the player has signed a contract with the club, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 31, 2022.

World Cup: Fitting in with Israelis by watching soccer - opinion

Forty years in this country, and I finally care about soccer. Not local soccer, perhaps, but at least international soccer.

DECEMBER 31, 2022ByHERB KEINON
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 18, 2022 Argentina players celebrate winning the World Cup

An 11-year-old Israeli soccer player with a bright future

Costs threatened to keep a promising young soccer player off the field. Degel Menashe stepped in and paid for the travel expenses.

DECEMBER 31, 2022ByISAAC THANGJOM
Soccer practice never stops: Dan Haokip in his bedroom.

Voices from the Arab press: Lionel Messi isn’t just a good player, he’s also a good human

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

DECEMBER 31, 2022ByMEDIA LINE
ARGENTINA’S LIONEL MESSi celebrates winning the Golden Ball award during the World Cup trophy ceremony earlier this month.