Football

Iraq World Cup star Aymen Hussein detained at Chicago airport, team photographer barred

Hussein was finally allowed in, but the team's photographer was barred from entering the US, said the official, who works for the Iraqi Olympic Committee and has close contacts with the team.

|ByREUTERS
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - Inter-Confederation Playoffs - Final - Iraq v Bolivia - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - March 31, 2026 Iraq's Aymen Hussein arrives before the match.
ISRAEL STRIKER Oscar Gloukh and Albania's Elseid Hysaj are shown a yellow card by referee Milija Savovic after an altercation stemming from the booing of Hatikvah before Israel's 1-0 friendly victory over host Albania in Tirana.

Israel beats Albania in tense soccer friendly after booing of Hatikvah

“Throughout the three years of the war, I’ve become used to boos," said midfielder Eliel Peretz. "It’s unpleasant and disrespectful. But in the end, we’re professionals."

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
DANIEL PERETZ rose to the moment with a series of stunning saves vs Arsenal, carrying Southampton to a memorable FA Cup quarterfinal upset this week.

Southampton soccer scandal: Coach pressured interns to spy, WhatsApp messages reveal

WhatsApp messages reveal Southampton coach Tonda Ackert pressured junior staff to spy on rival clubs, calling it a "calculated top-down plan" that led to playoff disqualification.

|ByWALLA
MACCABI TEL AVIV forward Jaylen Hoard goes up to the hoop for two of his team-high 20 points in the yellow-and-blue’s 106-90 victory over Hapoel Beersheba in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series.

Mac TA, Holon notch opening playoffs wins

The head coach may not travel with the team due to an injury, but Hapoel Beersheba midfielder Eliel Peretz is not concerned about his potential absence.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Maccabi Tel Aviv denies Beersheba double at soccer cup final

Thrilling soccer State Cup final at Teddy Stadium sees Maccabi Tel Aviv yellow-and-blue’s 25th triumph, 2-1 rally over Hapoel Beersheba Reds

MAY 27, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV players celebrate with the trophy following their 2-1 comeback win over Hapoel Beersheba in the State Cup final at Teddy Stadium.

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."

MAY 21, 2026ByWALLA! SPORTS, SPORTS SYSTEM 1
A wonderful career. Bibars photographed wearing the Israeli national team uniform

Hapoel Beersheba captures Israeli soccer league championship over Beitar Jerusalem

Next up for Beersheba is its final game of the league season on Saturday night, when it hosts Maccabi Haifa, followed by a State Cup final clash against the same Maccabi Tel Aviv.

MAY 20, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Hapoel Beersheba celebrating the championship.

Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid hires Jose Mourinho - report

Mourinho, 63, has informed Portugal's Benfica, his current club, that he is leaving, per the report.

MAY 18, 2026ByFIELD LEVEL MEDIA
Jose Mourinho coaching a soccer match, May 16, 2026; illustrative.

Beitar, Beersheba in fierce fight to the finish

Both top teams win, Jerusalem still trails by 2 points in the championship race with just 2 games left.

MAY 17, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
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.

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.

MAY 14, 2026ByREUTERS
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.

MAY 10, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
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.

MAY 7, 2026ByREUTERS
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.

MAY 5, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
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.

MAY 3, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, SARAH BEN-NUN
Maccabi Tel Aviv's new head coach Ronny Deila.