Sports

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.

|ByREUTERS
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 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.

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.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
GILI LUSTIG is honored this week at a special tribute event in Tel Aviv celebrating more than 40 years of leadership and impact in Israeli sport.

Gili Lustig honored for four decades of transforming Olympic sports in Israel

Held at the Enav Center on Monday, the event celebrated 68-year-old Lustig’s remarkable journey, including 12 years as CEO of the Olympic Committee of Israel

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
BEITAR JERUSALEM (in yellow) and Hapoel Beersheba are in a tight title race, separated by just two points after their 2-2 draw over the weekend.

Shabbat showdown down South as Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Beersheba deliver thriller

While the game ended in a 2-2 draw, the match had many ups and downs, creating excitement galore for fans of Hapoel Beersheba and Beitar Jerusalem.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Can you predict a pitchers' duel before betting odds shift?

JANUARY 21, 2026ByDAVID RABINOWICZ
Baseball Betting.

Maccabiah award honors Werder Bremen fans' stand against antisemitism

The award was given to the Hersh Goldberg-Polin Circle of Friends, which was created to commemorate slain Gaza hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
SV Werder Bremen President Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald; Malte, Representative of the Hersh Friendship Circle; Alon Meyer, President of Makkabi Germany; Arnd Zeigler, SV Werder Stadium Speaker.

When Jewish athletes dominated Polish sport: A lost legacy

From soccer to fencing, Jewish athletes once dominated Polish sports, and now their story is being told in Ramat Gan.

JANUARY 17, 2026ByBARRY DAVIS
The Maccabi Krakow ice hockey team in full flow during a game in 1934.

Alex Bregman, who drew a Jewish star on his cap after October 7, inks $175M deal with the Cubs

Bregman's contract with the Chicago Cubs is the second-largest contract ever signed by a Jewish ballplayer, behind Max Fried’s $218 million contract in 2024.

JANUARY 17, 2026ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA
Alex Bregman meets the media during his first press conference after signing with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on January 15, 2026.

‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’: Zalgiris, Lo eye big night vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Lithuanian squad was in Israel just a couple of weeks ago, and came away with a win over Hapoel Tel Aviv. It would like to replicate that success after splitting its last two Euroleague games.

JANUARY 15, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ZALGIRIS GUARD Maodo Lo (in red), a veteran of top European clubs and a regular member of the German national team, brings extensive international experience into tonight’s Euroeague matchup against host Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Israeli MMA fighter Shimon Smotritsky earns unanimous decision win at 559 Fights 120 - interview

"When I fight like myself, freely, and without trying to entertain someone or try to hype the crowd up and do all this nonsense, I’m the best version of myself," Smotritsky says.

JANUARY 13, 2026BySAM HALPERN
Shimon Smotritsky (left) and James Porter at the weigh-ins ahead of their match at the 559 Fights 120 event in Porterville, California.

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeats Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Tel Aviv handles Ramat Gan • Beersheba beats Galil Elyon • Herliya downs Ness Ziona

JANUARY 12, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV teammates Roman Sorkin (left) and Oshae Brissett celebrate after a basket during their team’s 95-84 win over Hapoel Jerusalem over the weekend.

Did Washington move too soon on Avdija? Former manager Tommy Sheppard offers an answer - interview

Avdija’s first season highlighted the difficulty. An ankle injury limited him to 54 games, and according to Sheppard, that period tested his character.

JANUARY 11, 2026ByIDAN KWELLER
Deni Avdija

Talent, arrogance, and the cost of not being ready in sports and war - opinion

Sport, of course, is never just sport. It is one of the most powerful metaphors we have for life itself. ...In Israel, the clamor is growing for a full national investigation into October 7 failures.

JANUARY 10, 2026ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN
England players shake hands after the match. The Ashes, Australia vs England, Fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia, last week.

Jerusalem marathon 2026 to offer special benefits for IDF reservists

The 15th Jerusalem Marathon, scheduled for March 27, offers special discounts for IDF reservists and security forces.

JANUARY 9, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
MARATHON DAY in Jerusalem is always one of the most energetic and fun experiences of the year throughout the capital.