FIFA U-20 World Cup

June 12, 2023, 11:49 am

‘Month of my dreams’: Israeli team toasts U-20 success as foreign clubs eye players

Players, coaches express euphoria and disbelief after winning bronze at soccer World Cup, also disappointment as players leave without individual awards for outstanding performance

By Michael Horovitz and Agencies

Israel's midfielder Ran Binyamin celebrates a goal scored by forward Anan Khalaili during the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup third-place match between Israel and South Korea at the Estadio Unico Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. (Luis ROBAYO / AFP)

June 11, 2023, 11:55 pm

Israel clinches 3rd place in soccer’s U-20 World Cup, capping thrilling run

National team bests South Korea 3-1, wrapping up its inaugural appearance in the tournament on a high; Uruguay tops Italy for first-ever crown

By ToI Staff and AFP

Israel's Or Israelov celebrates his team's 3-2 victory over Brazil at the end of a FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at the Bicentenario stadium in San Juan, Argentina, Saturday, June 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

June 8, 2023, 4:40 pm

Fever pitch as Israel gears up to face Uruguay in U-20 soccer World Cup semifinal

Thousands of Israelis and members of Argentina’s Jewish community expected at sold-out match as Israeli team tries to continue dream run

By ToI Staff

(L) Uruguay's players celebrate their side's opening goal against United States scored by teammate Anderson Duarte during a FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina on June 4, 2023. (R) Israel's Dor Turgeman, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the extra time of a FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinal soccer match against Brazil at the Bicentenario stadium in San Juan, Argentina on June 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera, Ricardo Mazalan)

June 8, 2023, 2:37 am

Root for home team? Uruguayan Jews see dilemma in U-20 World Cup semifinal vs. Israel

Jews in Latin American country are highly Zionist and have been inspired by Israeli team’s cinderella run in tournament, but community also ‘very proud and nationalistic’

By Juan Melamed

Uruguay's Anderson Duarte celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal against the United States during a FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, June 4, 2023. (Nicolas Aguilera/AP)

June 5, 2023, 10:37 am

Israel to face Uruguay in U-20 soccer World Cup semifinal, hoping to extend dream run

South Americans beat US to earn place in last four; South Korea downs Nigeria, will play against Italy in second semifinal

By AP and ToI Staff

Israeli soldiers and rescue forces seen at Mount Harif military base in the southern Negev desert, close to the border with Egypt, on June 3, 2023. (Flash90)

June 4, 2023, 1:05 pm

Daily Briefing June 4: Timeline of how an Egyptian infiltrated Israel to kill 3

Military reporter Emanuel Fabian on the hours before and after the deaths of three combat soldiers on the border with Egypt; legal reporter Jeremy Sharon on Jerusalem Pride Parade

By ToI Staff

A fan waves a Palestinian flag in the stands of a U-20 World Cup match between Israel and Columbia on May 21, 2023. (Screen capture/Twitter)

May 23, 2023, 3:32 am

Palestinian flag sparks tension during Israel’s U-20 World Cup loss to Colombia

Colombian fans wave banner after team scores goal in win, leading Israel backers to shout, ‘This is not politics, this is soccer’; police break up altercation

By Juan Melamed

Israel's Stav Lemkin reacts after losing a FIFA U-20 World Cup group C soccer match against Colombia at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, May 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

May 22, 2023, 9:13 am

Late goal sees Israel lose its 1st-ever game in men’s Under-20 World Cup in Argentina

Team takes the lead with a goal from Dor Turgeman, but Colombia fights back to win 2-1; favorites Brazil and Senegal also lose opening games

By ToI Staff and AP

El Yam Kancepolsky speaks at a welcome event for the Israeli team in Buenos Aires, May 15, 2023. Team manager Ofir Haim is on right. (Leonardo Kremenchuzky/World Zionist Organization via JTA)

May 18, 2023, 10:37 am

Israel looks to make history at men’s U-20 soccer World Cup after Indonesia snub

Tournament to be held in Argentina after Indonesia was stripped of hosting rights following anti-Israel protests; squad welcomed by Jewish community: ‘We came to win the trophy’

By Juan Melamed

Motorists commute past a poster for the Indonesia 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup football tournament in Jakarta on March 30, 2023 (BAY ISMOYO / AFP)

April 18, 2023, 10:33 am

Argentina to host U20 World Cup after Indonesia loses rights amid Israel protests

FIFA announces soccer tournament will be held in South American nation after pulling it from Indonesia, which saw public and political opposition to Israel’s participation

By Agencies and ToI Staff

March 30, 2023, 10:22 am

Indonesia, booted as U-20 World Cup host, sees backlash against anti-Israel leaders

Muslim-majority state loses soccer tourney hosting rights after governors called to ban Israel; Indonesians inundate Instagram page of presidential candidate with negative comments

By Agencies

Israel's midfielder Oscar Gloukh drives forward with the ball during the UEFA Under-19 European Championship final soccer match against England in Trnava, Slovakia on July 1, 2022. (VLADIMIR SIMICEK / AFP)

March 29, 2023, 7:15 pm

Indonesia yanked as U-20 World Cup host after calls to bar Israeli soccer team

FIFA says move ‘due to the current circumstances’ without giving specific reason, amid backlash in Bali over Israel’s participation in tournament

By Agencies

Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives at the EU-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit at the European Council headquarters in Brussels on December 14, 2022. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)

March 29, 2023, 12:43 pm

Indonesia still hopes to host U-20 World Cup after protests over hosting Israel

President announces talks with FIFA following outcry against Jewish state’s participation in soccer event in world’s most populous Muslim nation

By AFP

Protesters march during a protest against Israel's participation in the FIFA World Cup Under-20s, Jakarta, Indonesia, March 20, 2023. (AP/Achmad Ibrahim)

March 26, 2023, 11:16 pm

Indonesia’s tensions with Israel force delay of FIFA U20 World Cup draw

Tournament, set to be held in Bali, pushed back due to protests against Jewish state’s debut at tournament, governor’s calls for ban of players over Palestinian issue

By Graham Dunbar

Protesters march during a protest in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 20, 2023. Dozens of conservative Muslims have marched in Indonesia's capital to protest against the Israeli team's participation in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 in Indonesia. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

March 20, 2023, 1:29 pm

Dozens in Indonesia protest Israel’s planned presence at Under-20 soccer World Cup

Organized by conservative Muslim alliance, demonstrators wave signs calling Israel the enemy of Islam, block Jakarta thoroughfare; some moderate groups also urge Israel’s exclusion

By ANDI JATMIKO