Football

Former Israeli national soccer captain Bibars Natcho retires from the sport

Israeli soccer legend and former national team captain Bibars Natcho announces retirement, saying "My journey has come to an end."

A wonderful career. Bibars photographed wearing the Israeli national team uniform
Hapoel Beersheba celebrating the championship.

Hapoel Beersheba captures Israeli soccer league championship over Beitar Jerusalem

Jose Mourinho coaching a soccer match, May 16, 2026; illustrative.

Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid hires Jose Mourinho - report

TIMOTI MUZIE (11) celebrates with his Beitar Jerusalem teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in the crucial 2-1 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Beitar, Beersheba in fierce fight to the finish


Iran holds World Cup departure rally despite continuing US visa concerns

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been in question since the US and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February.

Members of Iran's national soccer team attend a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026.

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.

Irish footballers, celebrities urge boycott of Israel match over Gaza war

An open letter sent to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) from campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine accuses Israel of engaging in "genocide" in the war in Gaza.

DEMONSTRATORS HOLD a banner urging the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to boycott upcoming UEFA fixtures with Israel, in support of Palestinians during a protest in relation to the ceasefire in Gaza, in Dublin, Ireland, February 21, 2026.

Israel honors children killed in Iranian unrest, Druze children killed by Hezbollah, with new mural

The installation centers on Druze children in green, representing 12 children killed by a Hezbollah rocket on July 27, 2024, in Majdal Shams while playing football, facing Iranian children in red.

THE MURAL in honor of children killed in Iran by regional violence and unrest.

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.

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.

Palestinian Football Association appeals to sports court over FIFA ruling on Israel

The Palestinian Football Association has long argued that Israeli clubs based in the West Bank should not compete in leagues run by the Israel Football Association.

 Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub speaks during the 74th FIFA Congress, May 17, 2024,  in Bangkok.

Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in upcoming World Cup - Financial Times

Iran had said earlier that it would decide on participation in the World Cup only after receiving a response from FIFA regarding the relocation of its matches from the US to Mexico.

A picture shows flags of Italy and of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) headquarters during a meeting of the Italian football authorities after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, in Rome on April 2, 2026.

Trump’s antisemitism envoy says US will bar World Cup attendees tied to antisemitism abroad

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun was quoted as saying that the US was “holding countries accountable for ministers who are saying things, and they are not being allowed into the country.”

Pro-Palestinian activists protest with a football-shaped sign and a Palestinian flag outside Wembley Stadium on October 2nd, 2025 in London, United Kingdom.