Israel sports

Next man up: Shorthanded Israel ready for tough basketball World Cup qualifiers

The Israel National Basketball Team has already advanced to the next stage of qualifying, which will take place at the end of August.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL CAPTAIN Tomer Ginat – who is returning from injury – addressed the media ahead of the blue-and-white’s World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Croatia.
ROMAN SORKIN reacts after his late three-pointer this week helped seal the Israel Basketball League championship for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

How Roman Sorkin became the heart of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s title run

“I owed a lot to my team after the last game and a half,” Sorkin said. “I was too focused on myself, and that’s part of the old me. I can’t be like that anymore. People here count on me

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Joint FIFA and LEGO event for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kiryat Ata.

Joint FIFA-LEGO childrens' event in Kiryat Ata brings 2026 World Cup experience to Israel

Upon entering, participants will receive a "Player Card" and complete a series of stations designed to simulate elements of a World Cup styled tournament.

|ByASHER SMITH
MACCABI TEL AVIV celebrates on the court with the trophy after beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 83-79 in the decisive Game 4 of the Israel Basketball League Finals to clinch the local championship for the 58th time.

Maccabi Tel Aviv captures championship in game 4 against Hapoel Tel Aviv

“It was an amazing season and we didn’t finish the way we wanted to finish and I wish it would have been a better outcome," said Hapoel big man Ish Wainright

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Northern Israel’s 1st padel club launches

Located next to the Great Shape Country Club, the new complex positions Nesher at the forefront of Israel’s padel boom, bringing the internationally popular sport north for the first time.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
NESHER'S NEW padel courts mark the arrival of northern Israel’s first padel club and the sport’s rapid rise beyond the country’s center.

Beersheba widens gap on Beitar Jerusalem, Maccabi Tel Aviv blanks Maccabi Bnei Reineh for third

Late headers, big saves, and packed stadiums highlight a dramatic week in the Israeli Premier League.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL BEERSHEBA’S Igor Zlatanovic (front) celebrates after scoring the Reds’ first goal in their 2-1 victory over Beitar Jerusalem this week at Turner Stadium.

Harrison Bader, Dean Kremer headline as Team Israel announces World Baseball Classic lineup

Several MLB players have been added to Team Israel's roster this year, in time for next month's World Baseball Classic.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA
Apr 17, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader (44) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at Citi Field.

Hapoel Beersheba leapfrogs Beitar Jerusalem back into first place

Beersheba will face second-place Beitar Jerusalem in its next league match.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV teammates Dor Peretz (left) and Sayed Abu Farchi celebrate during their 4-1 Premier League victory over Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Monday night.

‘48 points to fight for’: Ronny Deila takes over at Maccabi Tel Aviv

Ronny Deila has been named Maccabi Tel Aviv’s new head coach, bringing championship experience from Europe and the US for the run in.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Maccabi Tel Aviv's new head coach Ronny Deila.

Hapoel Jerusalem advances to State Cup semis as Tel Aviv clubs fall in Europe

Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv, advancing to the Israel State Cup semifinals as Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv faced defeat in Euroleague basketball games.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
JARED HARPER scored a game-high 24 points to lead Hapoel Jerusalem to a 93-83 State Cup quarterfinal victory over a suddenly slumping Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Hapoel Tel Aviv beats Beersheba in OT, while Jerusalem, Mac TA both take wins home

Hapoel Tel Aviv slipped by Hapoel Beersheba 112-108 in overtime to notch the tight win at Yad Eliyahu and improve its Israeli league record to 14-1 and remain in first place.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV'S Antonio Blakeney blocks a shot during the Reds' 112-108 overtime victory over Hapoel Beersheba in Israeli league action at Yad Eliyahu.

Police arrest 17 members of soccer team in match-fixing and gambling probe

Police did not specify the team, but Israeli media identified it as F.C. Kiryat Yam, which plays near Haifa.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByPESACH BENSON/TPS
Israel Police and forensic teams at the site of the murder of a three-year-old in east Jerusalem, July 7, 2025.

Beitar Jerusalem moves into top spot

Hapoel Beersheba falls late to Hapoel Tel Aviv • Maccabi Haifa dominates Maccabi Tel Aviv

JANUARY 20, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV’S Liran Rotman assisted on the winning goal and made up for his penalty miss in last week’s derby as the Reds beat Hapoel Beersheba 2-1 at Bloomfield.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv deliver duo Euroleague victories

Maccabi survives late Zalgiris push at home as Hapoel rallies past ASVEL on the road in Euroleague basketball matches.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV guard Tre Clark is all smiles during the yellow-and-blue’s 100-97 Euroleague home victory over Zalgiris at Menora Mivtachim Arena.