Soccer

Omri Airlines: The meteoric rise of Israeli midfielder Gandelman with Italy’s Lecce

Gandelman has transformed into the “new face” of US Lecce in just a few short weeks, a player in the right place at the right time to secure a vital 2-1 victory.

|ByITAY GODER
WHETHER AT the club level for US Lecce or playing for the Israel national team Omri Gandelman has become a reliable contributor and fan favorite.
Iran players pose prior to 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.

Iran trying to frame women's soccer team asylum saga as Trump-Australia conspiracy

Tasnim, a regime-affiliated outlet, cast the episode as a Western pressure campaign, while foreign reports pointed instead to players fearing repercussions if they returned to Iran.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Hulk (Givanildo Vieira de Souza).

'It has turned into MMA': 23 red cards flashed in brutal Brazil cup final

A state cup final in Brazil descended into chaos as a mass brawl between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro at the Mineirão produced a record 23 red cards and forced military police onto the field.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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.

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

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

Israel's Manor Solomon enjoying life playing for Fiorentina

Israeli winger Manor Solomon was unveiled as a Fiorentina player, discussing his move to Serie A, differences between leagues, and his focus on football rather than politics.

JANUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Manor Solomon of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Artemio Franchi on January 11, 2026 in Florence, Italy.

Xavi Alonso leaves Real Madrid by mutual agreement after loss to Barcelona in Super Cup final

"Real Madrid will always be his home," the club said in a statement.

JANUARY 12, 2026ByREUTERS, JAMES GENN
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso during a press conference, January 10, 2026; illustrative.

Beitar Jerusalem grabs share of first place in win against Maccabi Bnei Reineh

Beersheba still tops table on goal difference • Macaabi Tel Aviv edges Sakhnin • Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel TA draw

JANUARY 11, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate with Timoti Muzie (center) after his 33rd-minute tally provided all the scoring in Beitar’s 1-0 win over Maccabi Bnei Reineh.

Maccabi Haifa displays misogynistic banner during derby soccer match with Hapoel Haifa

The banner showed an offensive, violent, and misogynistic picture of a female fan with the Hapoel Haifa shirt, and caused widespread criticism.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Maccabi Haifa banner displaying an offensive, violent, and misogynistic picture of a female fan.

Maccabi Haifa wins north soccer derby against Hapoel Haifa 2-0

It may not have been one of the Haifa derbies that will go down in the annals of history, but it did offer some sense of closure for Maccabi after what went down last May.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI HAIFA midfielder Eitan Azoulay (back) celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal in the 2-0 derby victory over city rival Hapoel Haifa in Israel Premier League action.

Israelis banned from UK sports arena for their own protection, new evidence suggests

Maccabi fan ban was driven by threats against Israelis, not from them; police hid evidence from Home Affairs Committee

JANUARY 6, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
POLICE OFFICERS detain a protester outside the stadium during the match, Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv, Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain, November 6, 2025

Maccabi Tel Aviv keeps pace in Third with conquest of Hapoe

After a fairly even opening 20 minutes, Mathew Cudjoe’s reckless tackle on Helder Lopes saw the midfielder sent off, leaving Sakhnin with only 10 men.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
One of Hapoel Beersheba's Kings Kangwa with teammates and one of Beersheba's Dan Bitton celebrating goals