Israeli football

From preseason disaster to title contender: How Barak Bachar turned Maccabi Haifa around

For now, the broader message is unmistakable: Writing off Maccabi Haifa after its preseason struggles would have been premature.

Maccabi Haifa players celebrate during a recent victory as Barak Bachar’s Greens continue their resurgence, climbing to second place in the Israeli Premier League and emerging as serious contenders in the championship race.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits supporters in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, ahead of Israel’s upcoming general elections, October 14, 2026.

Eisenkot's Yashar warns Sport 5 to avoid making Netanyahu's presence 'prominent' during soccer game

General view of the Lahav 433 police unit headquarters in the city of Lod on August 2, 2026.

Police arrest four in suspected financial crimes linked to Israeli Premier League soccer team

Israel's players (L) and the Republic of Ireland's players (R) stand alongside the officials for the national anthems ahead of the UEFA Nations League Group B3 football match between the Republic of Ireland and Israel at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola on October 4, 2026.

UEFA opens probe into alleged misconduct during Ireland-Israel soccer match


Euro 2024: Enjoy, but keep the TV at a healthy distance from your eyes

The world is glued to their screen for hours during the the European Football Championship. But does TV really cause nearsightedness and damage our eyes?

 GABY KANICHOWSKY (jumping in air) celebrates with his Israel teammates after scoring in stoppage time late Tuesday night to give the blue-and-white a 1-0 victory over visiting Belarus at Bloomfield Stadium in their Group I Euro 2024 qualifier.

Israeli teams set world record for longest-ever penalty shootout

Dimona won the shootout 23-22 after each side took 28 penalties.

 The Israeli Premier League match between Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Haifa at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on December 10, 2023.

Benayoun out at Israel National Team; Bachar to take over from Hazan as coach?

Bachar, 44, won six Israeli Premier League titles between 2016 and 2023, with Hapoel Beersheb and Maccabi Haifa.

 YOSSI BENAYOUN (left, in 2011 file photo) had a largely unsuccessful tenure as Sporting Director of the Israel National Team.

'Not like Russia': Israel will not be banned from soccer games

The announcement comes amid a call to boycott the Israeli team in world games by 12 countries. 

 Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier - Group I - Andorra v Israel - Estadi Nacional, Andorra La Vella, Andorra - November 21, 2023 Israel players pose for a team group photo before the match

Israeli teams hitting stride on the pitch

Mac TA edges Netanya • Refaelov, Mac Haifa beat Hapoel in derby • Berkowitz grabs draw for Beitar vs Sakhnin

 ERAN ZAHAVI once again came to the rescue for Maccabi Tel Aviv, scoring the game-winning goal on a second-half penalty in the yellow-and-blue's 2-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya.

Puma to terminate sponsorship of Israel's national soccer team - FT

Puma made the decision to stop supporting Israel's national soccer squad because of financial reasons.

 Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier - Group I - Andorra v Israel - Estadi Nacional, Andorra La Vella, Andorra - November 21, 2023 Israel players pose for a team group photo before the match

130 Gaza border area kids taken to Hungary to watch Israeli soccer team

"We want to provide an opportunity for the people of Israel to unite around an event that embodies national pride and a triumph for the Blue and White," the initiative's organizer said.

 A delegation of Israelis flew to Hungary to watch their national team compete against Romania and Switzerland.

Teams find rhythm before international break

Mac Haifa edges Hap Jerusalem • Mac TA handles Hadera • Beitar notches road win at Ashdod

 MACCABI TEL AVIV continued its strong start to the Israel Premier League season with a 3-0 victory over Hapoel Hadera this week at Netanya Stadium

Why has Israel been hosting so many international sports tournaments?

In recent years, Israel has hosted European and global tournaments in lacrosse, flag football and athletics, and will soon add volleyball, water polo and baseball to the list.

 MANY OF players who suited up for Team Israel at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 will be back donning the blue-and-white this month at the World Baseball Classic, where Israel will be playing in Pool D in Miami.

2023 European Athletics Under-20 Championships open in Jerusalem

The president of the Israeli Athletics Associationsaid Israel hosting so many tournaments has broken a glass ceiling in terms of Israel’s standing in the world, both politically and in sports.

 ANAN KHALAILI (left) is the latest sporting hero for Israel. The 18-year-old Sakhnin native scored a dramatic stoppage-time goal to send the blue-and-white to a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the last-16 of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina