Soccer

After ‘unique intervention,’ Iran’s women’s soccer team allowed to stay in Australia

The five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, sought protection after the team were branded "wartime traitors" for refusing to sing their national anthem before an Asian Cup match.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD, TOBIAS HOLCMAN
Iranian players gesture from the bench during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group A match between South Korea and Iran at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, March 2, 2026.
Fatemeh Pasandideh of Iran during the AFC Women's Asian Cup Group A match between South Korea and Iran at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, March 2, 2026.

Australia to grant visas to five members of Iranian women's soccer team after Trump appeal

The players, who were playing in the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, stood silent last week during the Iranian national anthem, which was interpreted by hardliners in Iran as a sign of treason.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iran players salute during their national anthem during the AFC Women's Asian Cup Group A match between Iran and Philippines at Gold Coast Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, March 8, 2026.

Israel urges Australia to grant asylum to Iranian soccer players after anthem protest

Science Minister Gila Gamliel has urged Australia to provide refuge for Iranian women’s soccer players. Branded "wartime traitors" by Tehran, five players have already left the team hotel.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM defender Luka Gadrani has brought stability to the club’s back line since arriving from Kairat Almaty, helping the capital side stay in title contention.

Luka Gadrani anchors Beitar Jerusalem’s defense as championship race heats up

Gadrani, who joined the club at the end of September from Kairat Almaty, has been one of the standouts as the Georgian national team defender provides a cool, calm, and collected presence.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Bethlehem soccer pitch becomes unlikely flashpoint in global soccer politics

The pitch, the IDF Central Command claimed, sat too close to the seam zone, alleging that the structure and its occupants provided an observation point too sensitive for its volatile location.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026ByITAY GODER
PALESTINIAN YOUTH soccer players play in a field next to the barrier separating Aida refugee camp from Jerusalem near Bethlehem in the West Bank.

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.

Beyond soccer: Morocco’s quest for regional stability in Africa - opinion

Soccer serves as a tool of soft power, and through partnerships with African soccer federations, Rabat has deepened its influence.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByEINAT LEVI
King Mohammed VI of Morocco attends the signing of bilateral agreements at the Agdal Royal Palace on February 13, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco.

‘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.

Down the yellow-and-black road: Beitar Jerusalem’s title dream takes shape

Beitar, for the first time in what seemed to be eons, was atop the table with the season having just completed Matchday 19, as it took over sole possession of first place.

JANUARY 23, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM coach Barak Itzhaki has quietly guided the yellow-and-black from early-season promise to an unlikely place atop the Israel Premier League table at midseason.

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.

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.

West Midlands Police chief steps down over Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban scandal, offers no apology

CC Craig Guilford offered no apology for the erroneous policing of the Maccabi match, blaming "political and media frenzy" for his departure.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
Police officer and security staff look on as protesters display banners before Maccabi Tel Aviv faces Aston Villa, in Birmingham, UK, November 6, 2025

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.

Maccabi Tel Aviv survives derby, State Cup quarterfinals set

Derbies, upsets, and penalty drama, the Israel State Cup delivers again as Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jaffa, and Bnei Yehuda advance to the quarterfinals.

JANUARY 16, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV ’keeper Ofek Melika makes a save during the penalty shoot-out of the yellow-and-blue’s 1-1 (5-4) State Cup victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv to advance to the quarterfinals