Soccer

Hapoel Tel Aviv eyes Euroleague playoffs while Maccabi prays for spot

Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Fenerbahce 95-80 as the Reds closed in on clinching a playoff spot with a record of 22-13. Meanwhile, a crucial contest awaits Maccabi as its aspirations are questioned.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV coach Oded Katash and his team's Euroleague postseason hopes are hanging by a thread, as the 51-year-old Israeli signed a three-year extension this week to remain on the yellow-and-blue sideline.
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.

Israeli pride: Peretz lifts Southampton over Arsenal and into Wembley spotlight

Peretz, who moved from Maccabi Tel Aviv to Bayern Munich and then to Hamburg, has made a number of spectacular saves against Arsenal's young guns, helping the Gunners reach high standings.

|ByJOSH HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate a dramatic late winner at Teddy Stadium – their joy echoing through empty stands as fans cheer from afar in homes and shelters across Israel.

Sounds of silence: Israeli sports return, but minus fans who define them

As the Israel Soccer League resumed play across the country this week, the atmosphere was eerie. It evoked the empty-stadium days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
The FIFA 26 Los Angeles logo is displayed on a soccer ball during the Los Angeles World Cup 2026.

FIFA does it again: Seats for the 2026 World Cup final listed at near $11,000

In the original joint bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, projections suggested the most expensive final ticket would top out at $1,550.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

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

Eran Zahavi announces retirement, bringing an era of Israeli soccer to a close

After months of speculation and deliberation, the all-time leading scorer of the Israel national team confirmed that he will not return to the pitch.

JANUARY 1, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ERAN ZAHAVI, the all-time leading scorer of the Israel national team, bid farewell to the pitch at 38, closing the curtain on a legendary career defined by goals, records and unforgettable moments.

Daniel Peretz to Southampton, Manor Solomon to Fiorentina in midseason moves - report

Reports say goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is nearing a loan move to Southampton, while winger Manor Solomon could switch from Villarreal to Fiorentina this month.

DECEMBER 31, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
DANIEL PERETZ begins a new chapter with Hamburger SV as he looks to secure the starting role in the Bundesliga.

State Cup weekend sees Beitar comeback and dominant displays by top clubs

Beitar survives the rain • Mac Tel Aviv and Mac Haifa run amok • Hap Tel Aviv, Beersheba advance

DECEMBER 28, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM’S Omer Atzili celebrates after his goal during the 2-1 victory for the capital city side over Ironi Tiberias in the State Cup round-of-32.

'Angelic, full of joy': Ashdod mayor honors 27-year-old Dan Alkayim, killed in Bondi Beach attack

Alkayim's death was announced by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in a post to X/Twitter in the hours after the attack.

DECEMBER 25, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Friends and family attend the funeral of Dan Alkayim, who was murdered in a mass terrorist shooting attack on December 14, 2025 at Bondi Beach in Sydney, at a cemetery in Ashdod, southern Israel, December 25, 2025.