The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/world-cup/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:09:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png World Cup | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/world-cup/ 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

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]]> Irish fans disrupt national soccer team’s game to protest planned matches against Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/irish-fans-disrupt-national-soccer-teams-game-to-protest-planned-matches-against-israel/ Fri, 29 May 2026 21:19:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3832924 Coach of Ireland, who has called for a ban on Israel, says 'we respect the protest' after game against Qatar is twice interrupted when Palestinian flagged-tennis balls thrown onto field

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]]> Iran to attend World Cup draw in US after boycott threat over visa issues https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-to-attend-world-cup-draw-in-us-after-boycott-threat-over-visa-issues/ Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:48:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3704721 Decision to participate comes days after team president informed FIFA it wouldn't go because the United States refused to grant visas to several members of the delegation

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]]> Snipers on roof as Udine braces for high-risk Italy-Israel World Cup soccer qualifier https://www.timesofisrael.com/snipers-on-roof-as-udine-braces-for-high-risk-italy-israel-world-cup-soccer-qualifier/ Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:01:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3664892 Most shops and restaurants to close in northern Italy city as pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstrators plan march despite Gaza ceasefire going into effect

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]]> Report details Saudi Arabia’s spending and influence network to host 2034 World Cup https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-details-saudi-arabias-spending-and-influence-network-to-host-2034-world-cup/ Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:03:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3431574 As FIFA set to confirm the Saudis as hosts, sports ethics institute in Denmark highlights 'tension between the ideals of sport and the realities of power, money, and politics'

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]]> Palestinian national soccer team aims to host World Cup qualifier games in West Bank https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-national-soccer-team-aims-to-host-world-cup-qualifier-games-in-west-bank/ Fri, 05 Jul 2024 09:57:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3325537 Palestinians, who have not hosted a match at the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in Al Ram since 2019, hoping to take on Jordan at home in September

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]]> A chance discovery connects US soccer star Matt Turner to his Jewish roots https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-chance-discovery-connects-us-soccer-star-matt-turner-to-his-jewish-roots/ Fri, 13 Oct 2023 13:05:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3109498 2015 clean-up of his great-grandparents' home gives new clarity into a hazy familial past for England Premier League starting goalkeeper: 'We didn’t even know we were Lithuanian'

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]]> In sensational upset, Israel downs Brazil 3-2 to reach U-20 World Cup semifinal https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-sensational-upset-israel-downs-brazil-3-2-to-reach-u-20-world-cup-semifinal/ Sat, 03 Jun 2023 22:47:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3027027&preview=true&preview_id=3027027 Netanyahu hails youth soccer team for making history after Dor Turgeman scores stunning decider during extra time; coach Ofir Haim: 'We want to reach the final'

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]]> 97th-minute stunner over Uzbekistan sends Israel to U-20 World Cup quarterfinal https://www.timesofisrael.com/97th-minute-stunner-over-uzbekistan-sends-israel-to-u-20-world-cup-quarterfinal/ Wed, 31 May 2023 00:59:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3024710&preview=true&preview_id=3024710 Second successive win keeps Israeli youngsters' improbable run alive, but squad likely faces powerhouse Brazil next

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]]> Israel scores stunning late comeback to beat Japan, reach Under-20 World Cup last 16 https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-scores-stunning-late-comeback-to-beat-japan-reach-under-20-world-cup-last-16/ Sun, 28 May 2023 00:13:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3022742&preview=true&preview_id=3022742 Playing one team member down, squad nets 2 late goals to win what coach Ofir Haim calls 'the greatest match in the history of Israeli soccer'

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]]> Israel ties 1-1 with Senegal at Under-20 soccer World Cup; Colombia leads Group C https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-ties-with-senegal-at-under-20-world-cup-colombia-leads-group-c/ Thu, 25 May 2023 02:49:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3021733 Israelis take lead with an own goal from Senegalese team in 58th minute; Brazil trounces Dominican Republic 6-0; Israel to square off against Japan Saturday

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]]> Jubilant Saudis celebrate arrival of soccer star Ronaldo https://www.timesofisrael.com/jubilant-saudis-celebrate-arrival-of-fading-soccer-star-ronaldo/ Tue, 03 Jan 2023 04:37:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2915709 Portuguese player to earn 200 million euros to play for Al Nassr, helping lift cachet of Saudi soccer and breathing new life into slumping forward after Manchester United blowup

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]]> English World Cup winner George Cohen dies at 83 https://www.timesofisrael.com/english-world-cup-winner-george-cohen-dies-at-83/ Fri, 23 Dec 2022 14:27:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2906208 Defender, who had a Jewish grandfather, played every minute of England's 1966 victorious campaign

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]]> Two flags, one goal: Morocco’s historic World Cup run feeds amity with Palestinians https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-flags-one-goal-moroccos-historic-world-cup-run-feeds-amity-with-palestinians/ Fri, 16 Dec 2022 01:48:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2900114 Signs of Palestinian solidarity are all over Qatar, including on the field, though the Atlas Lions gave the Arab world, and an East Jerusalem bar, a second underdog to root for

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]]> Brazil wins World Cup group despite historic 1-0 loss to Cameroon https://www.timesofisrael.com/brazil-wins-world-cup-group-despite-historic-1-0-loss-to-cameroon/ Fri, 02 Dec 2022 23:29:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2889252 Upset marks 1st time in tournament history an African nation defeats the Brazilians, who had not lost in group stage for 24 years

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