Soccer

Ireland commits to Israel fixtures despite calling for their expulsion

Ireland and Israel will face each other in September and November 2026, home and away. The FAI had requested in November 2025 that Israel be expelled from UEFA competitions.

 Barnot Toth of Hungary is challenged by Jack Taylor of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at on September 06, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland.
PALESTINIAN YOUTH soccer players play in a field next to the barrier separating Aida refugee camp from Jerusalem near Bethlehem in the West Bank.

Bethlehem soccer pitch becomes unlikely flashpoint in global soccer politics

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.

Beersheba widens gap on Beitar Jerusalem, Maccabi Tel Aviv blanks Maccabi Bnei Reineh for third

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

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


‘We’ll reach a major tournament’: Coach confident despite Israel's exit from World Cup qualifiers

“The harshest criticism we’ll hear is the criticism we direct at ourselves. We have a goal, and we know and will know how to reach it. I’m very proud of the players," said the team's coach.

The World Cup qualifying soccer match between Italy and Israel in Udine, Italy, on October 14, 2025.

Ronaldo attends White House meeting between Trump and Saudi crown prince

Elon Musk also joined the dinner, the second joint public appearance since he and Trump had a falling out earlier this year.

Cristiano Ronaldo takes a selfie with Georgina Rodriguez, Elon Musk, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as they attend a dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump for Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, at the White House.

Israel rallies to shock Netherlands three to one, reviving Euro 2027 campaign

Guy Luzon’s side showed remarkable character in Budapest, climbing temporarily into second place in Group G and injecting new life into its campaign.

 ISRAEL UNDER-21 players celebrate with forward Ran Binyamin (center) after he scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal in first-half stoppage time of the blue-and-white’s 3-1 upset victory over the Netherlands in Euro 2027 qualifying.

Israel national soccer team aims to finish 2026 World Cup qualifiers on a strong note

Ben Shimon & Co. close World Cup qualifiers at Moldova seeking redemption, growth, and steps toward future success

‘YOU DON'T choose when to take things seriously,’ said Israel coach Ran Ben Shimon this week before the national team’s final qualifier in Moldova.

Cristiano Ronaldo clarifies 'soon' means one or two years before retirement

"I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp. But of course, let's be honest. What I mean by soon is probably one or two years," he said.

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Hazem v Al Nassr - King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia - October 25, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match

Anti-Israel activism in soccer fandoms leads to antisemitism, study reveals

According to the researcher, both antisemitism shown by supporters, as well as one-sided pro-Palestinian activism, create an environment that leads to toxicity on and off the field.

A BILLBOARD in Times Square reads ‘Israel is committing genocide’ as part of a campaign for a soccer boycott against Israel over the war in Gaza last month. No genocidal army ever imported 14,125 tons of aid in one week alone, says the writer.

Israel Police arrest six in Sakhnin soccer brawl after Maccabi Haifa match

Some fans had been removed from the stadium and fined after being found to be in possession of pyrotechnic devices, the police statement said.

Bnei Sakhnin supporters seen during a State Cup match between Beitar Jerusalem and Bnei Sakhnin FC at HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, April 3, 2025

Irish soccer's governing body overwhelmingly backs call for UEFA to ban Israel

If UEFA decided to ban Israel, it would put the organization on a collision course with the government of the US, co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup, which strongly opposes such an action.

Protesters march against the Israeli football team during a pro-Palestinian demonstration ahead of the Italy v Israel match, October 14, 2025.

Turkey orders arrest of 17 soccer referees, club president in betting probe

In what the TFF President describes as a "moral crisis in Turkish football," the detention of 21 people has been ordered by Turkish prosecutors.

Tupras Stadyumu, Istanbul, Turkey - November 2, 2025 Fenerbahce's Youssef En Nesyri in action with Besiktas' Gokhan Sazdagi

Six arrested following 'death to IDF' chants at Maccabi TLV-Aston Villa soccer match

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were placed into a fenced-in basketball court near the stadium, following a ban from the UEFA Europa League match in Birmingham, UK.

 A protester displays a banner reading "keep Anti-Semitism out of football" in support of Maccabi Tel Aviv outside the stadium before the match Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham, UK on November 6, 2025.