The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/soccer/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:03:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png soccer | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/soccer/ 32 32 War and economic hardship dampen World Cup excitement in Iran https://www.timesofisrael.com/war-and-economic-hardship-dampen-world-cup-excitement-in-iran/ Sun, 07 Jun 2026 05:44:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3837834 Iranians say it's difficult to get excited about a soccer tournament in a year that has seen so much suffering, especially when it's being hosted by a country they are at war with

The post War and economic hardship dampen World Cup excitement in Iran appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> French police arrest over 400 soccer fans in clashes following Champions League win https://www.timesofisrael.com/french-police-arrest-over-400-soccer-fans-in-clashes-following-champions-league-win/ Sun, 31 May 2026 07:46:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3833451 Seven officers wounded as tens of thousands of Paris Saint-Germain supporters celebrate team's victory over Arsenal by firing flares, blocking traffic; far right slams chaos

The post French police arrest over 400 soccer fans in clashes following Champions League win appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> ‘ZOG’: Antisemitic graffiti at Arsenal stadium after UK team unveils Israeli-founded sponsor https://www.timesofisrael.com/zog-antisemitic-graffiti-at-arsenal-stadium-after-uk-team-unveils-israeli-founded-sponsor/ Thu, 21 May 2026 06:09:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3827897 Vandals use 'Zionist Occupied Government' conspiracy theory in targeting London soccer team, the new English league champion, and US company Deel, founded by a French-Israeli

The post ‘ZOG’: Antisemitic graffiti at Arsenal stadium after UK team unveils Israeli-founded sponsor appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Spain defends soccer star Yamal over Israeli criticism of Palestinian flag display https://www.timesofisrael.com/spain-defends-soccer-star-yamal-over-israeli-criticism-of-palestinian-flag-display/ Tue, 19 May 2026 02:03:05 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3826329 Spanish PM calls FC Barcelona phenom’s gesture during championship celebration 'another reason to be proud of him' after Katz accused Yamal of incitement for hoisting flag

The post Spain defends soccer star Yamal over Israeli criticism of Palestinian flag display appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> FC Barcelona distances itself from star’s Palestinian flag-waving, amid Israeli anger https://www.timesofisrael.com/fc-barcelona-distances-itself-from-stars-palestinian-flag-waving-amid-israeli-anger/ Thu, 14 May 2026 11:59:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3823354 Defense minister says Lamine Yamal 'chose to incite against Israel,' shortly after Israeli fans share statement from team saying player's act was spontaneous and not on its behalf

The post FC Barcelona distances itself from star’s Palestinian flag-waving, amid Israeli anger appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Palestinian soccer chief refuses to shake hands with Israel federation VP at FIFA event https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-soccer-chief-refuses-to-shake-hands-with-israel-federation-vp-at-fifa-event/ Fri, 01 May 2026 05:22:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3814254 Jibril Rajoub accuses FIFA president of failing to understand 'deep suffering' of Palestinian people after Infantino urged the two to 'give hope to the children'; Israel's rep had said, 'We are proud of their squads and our squads'

The post Palestinian soccer chief refuses to shake hands with Israel federation VP at FIFA event appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> 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

The post FIFA fines Israeli soccer for fans’ racism, but lets teams from settlements compete appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Iranian soccer star Azmoun kicked off national team for perceived disloyalty – reports https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-soccer-star-azmoun-kicked-off-national-team-for-perceived-disloyalty-reports/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:13:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3782728 Striker, who plays in UAE, said to have angered authorities with Instagram photo of a meeting with Dubai's ruler, is now unlikely to participate in World Cup

The post Iranian soccer star Azmoun kicked off national team for perceived disloyalty – reports appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Another Iranian soccer player backs down from Australia asylum, leaving just two https://www.timesofisrael.com/another-iranian-soccer-player-backs-down-from-australia-asylum-leaving-just-two/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:01:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3779037 Woman joins her teammates in Kuala Lumpur where rest of squad have yet to reveal plans to return home, amid speculation they are waiting for last two to change their minds

The post Another Iranian soccer player backs down from Australia asylum, leaving just two appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Three more members of Iran’s national soccer team leave asylum in Australia https://www.timesofisrael.com/three-more-members-of-irans-national-soccer-team-leave-asylum-in-australia/ Sun, 15 Mar 2026 02:44:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3778146 Seven members of visiting women's team sought asylum after state media called them 'wartime traitors' for failing to sing anthem during Asian Cup match; three remain in Australia

The post Three more members of Iran’s national soccer team leave asylum in Australia appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Iran suggests men’s soccer team will skip World Cup after several in women’s team defect https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-suggests-mens-soccer-team-will-skip-world-cup-after-womens-team-defects/ Tue, 10 Mar 2026 19:55:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3774452 Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Federation, claims members of women's team in Australia were 'taken hostage' after they applied for asylum in Australia

The post Iran suggests men’s soccer team will skip World Cup after several in women’s team defect appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Australia grants asylum to five Iranian soccer players amid pressure from Trump https://www.timesofisrael.com/australia-grants-asylum-to-5-iranian-soccer-players-amid-pressure-from-trump/ Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:12:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3773626 Australians 'moved by plights of these brave women,' PM says after being berated by US president, whose administration was still deporting Iranians during regime's crackdown on protests

The post Australia grants asylum to five Iranian soccer players amid pressure from Trump appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Trump calls on Australia to give asylum to Iranian women’s soccer team members https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-calls-on-australia-to-give-asylum-to-iranian-womens-soccer-team-members/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:35:23 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3773305 US president says Washington will take in athletes if Canberra doesn't, amid fears they could be persecuted after declining to sing national anthem before one of their games

The post Trump calls on Australia to give asylum to Iranian women’s soccer team members appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Calls grow for Australia to give Iran’s women’s soccer team asylum after anthem protest https://www.timesofisrael.com/calls-grow-for-australia-to-give-irans-womens-soccer-team-asylum-after-anthem-protest/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 07:41:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3772784 Reza Pahlavi and J.K. Rowling join growing chorus urging Canberra to protect the players after Iranian state TV brands them 'wartime traitors'

The post Calls grow for Australia to give Iran’s women’s soccer team asylum after anthem protest appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Iranian soccer team exits Women’s Asian Cup and faces tricky prospect of return home https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-soccer-team-exits-womens-asian-cup-and-faces-the-prospect-of-a-return-home/ Sun, 08 Mar 2026 16:18:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3772391 Petition urging Australia to protect women athletes from persecution by Islamic Republic gets 50,000 signatures; team was silent during national anthem before opening match Monday

The post Iranian soccer team exits Women’s Asian Cup and faces tricky prospect of return home appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]>