Soccer

Iran's FM spox. calls Australia's offer for asylum to Iranian soccer players 'hypocrisy and deceit'

According to Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Barghaei, "What happened in Australia was a clear example of hypocrisy and deceit."

|ByTOBIAS 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.
Iranian Women's national soccer team captain Zahra Ghanbari looks on during the Women's Asian Cup Iran press conference at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, March 1, 2026.

Two members of Iranian women's soccer team train at new Australian club after five forgo asylum

Australia had granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member last week from the Iranian squad after they sought asylum over fears of possible persecution upon returning home.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
Atletico Madrid on the pitch. Illustration.

Footballer grabs opponent's genitals. Sent off pitch

The confrontation came in the 28th week of La Liga during a tightly contested match that Atlético won 1-0.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
THE REMAINING members of Iran’s women’s national football team embrace a member of the support staff who had refused to board the plane.

Iranian football players face government pressure to return to Iran, as families warn against it

The exact number of delegation members seeking protection remains unclear, with accounts from activists, officials, and Iranian state media differing.

|ByOMID HABIBINIA/THE MEDIA LINE

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