The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/israel-football-association/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 29 Sep 2026 20:13:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Israel Football Association | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/israel-football-association/ 32 32 After players vote, Ireland decides to play soccer match with Israel; 1 player withdraws https://www.timesofisrael.com/irish-player-said-refusing-to-take-part-in-israel-soccer-game-with-squad-in-turmoil/ Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:07:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3903620 Team was thrown into turmoil after Gavin Bazunu said he would boycott upcoming Nations League fixtures; players to wear black armbands to mark 'all lives lost in the conflict'

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]]> Irish PM slams ‘unacceptable’ remarks from Israel’s soccer federation amid spat https://www.timesofisrael.com/irish-pm-slams-unacceptable-remarks-from-israels-soccer-federation-amid-spat/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:18:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3901472 Micheal Martin says comments should be 'withdrawn' after Israeli body accused Ireland's coach of 'stupidity and ignorance' for saying his team was 'playing against genocide'

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]]> Israel’s soccer federation blasts Irish coach for saying ‘we’re playing against genocide’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-soccer-federation-blasts-irish-coach-for-saying-were-playing-against-genocide/ Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:40:56 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3900682 Ahead of upcoming Nations League matches, association accuses Heimir Hallgrimsson of 'stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy'; Irish athletes group urges team to boycott the fixtures

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]]> Israel pulls support for embattled FIFA chief after World Cup sell-off plan — report https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-pulls-support-for-embattled-fifa-chief-after-world-cup-sell-off-plan-report/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:52:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3882013 Board of Israel's soccer governing body said to have voted unanimously to retract earlier endorsement of Gianni Infantino's reelection bid

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]]> Israel’s World Cup prospects look better in Asia, but amid protests it sticks with Europe https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-world-cup-prospects-look-better-in-asia-but-amid-protests-it-sticks-with-europe/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:37:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3849317 Kicked out of Asian Football Confederation in 1974, Jewish state's team says return not on the table, citing standing in UEFA - and doubts it would be welcomed back

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]]> Pro soccer player arrested on suspicion of financial crimes, links to northern gang https://www.timesofisrael.com/pro-soccer-player-arrested-on-suspicion-of-financial-crimes-links-to-northern-gang/ Sun, 14 Jun 2026 15:32:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3842433 National League athlete allegedly engaged in systemic gambling and match-fixing, worked with violent group allegedly operated by imprisoned mob boss

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]]> Irish athletes, celebrities urge boycott of upcoming soccer games against Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/irish-athletes-celebrities-urge-boycott-of-upcoming-soccer-games-against-israel/ Thu, 07 May 2026 08:35:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3818136 Signing letter titled 'Stop the Game,' leading figures demand Irish government 'respect and represent' wishes of the people, cancel UEFA Nations League games planned for this fall

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]]> FIFA fines Israeli soccer for fans’ racism, but lets teams from settlements compete https://www.timesofisrael.com/fifa-fines-israeli-soccer-for-fans-racism-but-lets-teams-from-settlements-compete/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:06:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3782792 Governing body orders Israel Football Association to crack down on Beitar Jerusalem and others, but declines to weigh in on 'complex matter' of West Bank's legal status

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]]> Irish soccer chief says country has ‘no choice’ but to play matches against Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/irish-soccer-chief-says-country-has-no-choice-but-to-play-matches-against-israel/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:25:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3762814 Despite local pressure to boycott, Football Association of Ireland executive says only 'viable option' is to play UEFA games in September and October

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]]> 17 suspects linked to Israeli soccer team arrested in match-fixing probe https://www.timesofisrael.com/17-suspects-linked-to-israeli-soccer-team-arrested-in-match-fixing-probe/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:33:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3741438 Police suspect organized crime group used FC Kiryat Yam to launder money in illegal gambling operation that took bets on games with pre-determined outcomes; players among suspects

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]]> Tensions high in Oslo as Norway hosts Israel in high-stakes World Cup soccer qualifier https://www.timesofisrael.com/tensions-high-in-oslo-as-norway-hosts-israel-in-high-stakes-world-cup-soccer-qualifier/ Sat, 11 Oct 2025 06:36:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3661853 Heavy security in place as thousands expected to protest against Israel over Gaza war; local football federation has been leading push to get Israel banned from international sport

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]]> Israel says Reebok sought to remove its logo from soccer team jerseys; company denies it https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-says-reebok-sought-to-remove-its-logo-from-soccer-team-jerseys-company-denies/ Tue, 30 Sep 2025 22:41:47 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3653964 Israel Football Association says sportswear giant backtracked after making demand under boycott pressure; Reebok says claim untrue: 'We don't do politics; we do sport'

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]]> UEFA heading to a vote next week on booting Israel from European soccer https://www.timesofisrael.com/uefa-heading-to-a-vote-next-week-on-booting-israel-from-european-soccer/ Thu, 25 Sep 2025 16:17:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3649875 Clear majority of governing body's executive members said to be in favor of move; would ban Israeli club and national teams from competing in any international competitions

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]]> Israel said scrambling to prevent Tuesday vote on expelling country from European soccer https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-scrambling-to-prevent-tuesday-vote-on-expelling-country-from-european-soccer/ Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:54:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3646769 Reports say Qatar, following Israeli strike in Doha, is pressuring UEFA to hold a vote; however, Israeli federation implies the reports are inaccurate

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]]> Times Square billboard demands Israeli national soccer team be barred from competing https://www.timesofisrael.com/times-square-billboard-demands-israeli-national-soccer-team-be-barred-from-competing/ Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:56:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3644472 Months ahead of 2026 World Cup, advocacy organizations kick off campaign declaring that 'there is no room in sports for war criminals'

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