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Israel Football Association

Ireland’s players pose for the team picture before the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Kosovo and Ireland in Pristina, Kosovo, September 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
September 26, 2026, 3:07 pm
After players vote, Ireland decides to play soccer match with Israel; 1 player withdraws
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’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin arrives at Heron House, the base of the government’s Number 10 North, in Manchester, England, September 18, 2026. (Oli Scarff/Pool Photo via AP)
September 23, 2026, 10:18 am
Irish PM slams ‘unacceptable’ remarks from Israel’s soccer federation amid spat
Micheal Martin says comments should be ‘withdrawn’ after Israeli body accused Ireland’s coach of ‘stupidity and ignorance’ for saying his team was ‘playing against genocide’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Ireland’s coach Heimir Hallgrimsson stands by the sideline before a soccer World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between the Czech Republic and Ireland in Prague, Czech Republic, March 26, 2026. (AP/Vit Tcherny)
September 22, 2026, 2:40 am
Israel’s soccer federation blasts Irish coach for saying ‘we’re playing against genocide’
Ahead of upcoming Nations League matches, association accuses Heimir Hallgrimsson of ‘stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy’; Irish athletes group urges team to boycott the fixtures
By ToI Staff and Reuters
FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman (left), vice president of the Israeli Football Association, as Jibril Rajoub (right), president of the Palestine Football Association, leaves the stage at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30, 2026. (Reuters/Jennifer Gauthier)
August 19, 2026, 4:52 pm
Israel pulls support for embattled FIFA chief after World Cup sell-off plan — report
Board of Israel’s soccer governing body said to have voted unanimously to retract earlier endorsement of Gianni Infantino’s reelection bid
By ToI Staff and AFP
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Raz Shlomo, center, duels for the ball with Lyon's Pavel Sulc, down, during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Lyon, in Backa Topola, Serbia, November 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
June 25, 2026, 4:37 pm
Israel’s World Cup prospects look better in Asia, but amid protests it sticks with Europe
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
By Deborah Danan
Illustrative: A person holding handcuffs in a Jerusalem court on November 21, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/ Flash90)
June 14, 2026, 6:32 pm
Pro soccer player arrested on suspicion of financial crimes, links to northern gang
National League athlete allegedly engaged in systemic gambling and match-fixing, worked with violent group allegedly operated by imprisoned mob boss
By Charlie Summers
Illustrative: Pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protesters gather ahead of a Europa League soccer match between PAOK and Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv in the port city of Thessaloniki, northern Greece, Wednesday, September 24, 2025. (AP/Giannis Papanikos)
May 7, 2026, 11:35 am
Irish athletes, celebrities urge boycott of upcoming soccer games against Israel
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
By Reuters and ToI Staff
The Israeli Premier League match between Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on December 8, 2025. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
March 20, 2026, 11:06 am
FIFA fines Israeli soccer for fans’ racism, but lets teams from settlements compete
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
By Reuters
Irish players applaud fans following the UEFA Nations League match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium in London on November 17, 2024. (Ben STANSALL / AFP)
February 26, 2026, 3:25 pm
Irish soccer chief says country has ‘no choice’ but to play matches against Israel
Despite local pressure to boycott, Football Association of Ireland executive says only ‘viable option’ is to play UEFA games in September and October
By AFP
Screen captures from video of police counting cash as they arrest suspects in an alleged soccer match-fixing case, January 26, 2026. (Israel Police)
January 26, 2026, 11:33 am
17 suspects linked to Israeli soccer team arrested in match-fixing probe
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
By ToI Staff
Israel's Dor David Turgeman (R) celebrates with Manor Solomon scoring during the 2026 World Cup Group I qualifier football match between Israel and Norway, in Debrecen, Hungary, on March 25, 2025. (Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)
October 11, 2025, 9:36 am
Tensions high in Oslo as Norway hosts Israel in high-stakes World Cup soccer qualifier
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
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Israel's defender Idan Nachmias handles the ball during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Europe zone group I soccer match between Israel and Italy on September 8, 2025 in Debrecen, Hungary. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)
October 1, 2025, 1:41 am
Israel says Reebok sought to remove its logo from soccer team jerseys; company denies it
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’
By Sharon Wrobel and Reuters
Celtic fans lift a protest banner about Israel during the UEFA Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Glasgow Celtic and Bayern Munich at the Celtic Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland on February 12, 2025. (AP/Scott Heppell)
September 25, 2025, 7:17 pm
UEFA heading to a vote next week on booting Israel from European soccer
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
By AP and ToI Staff
The players line up before the UEFA Super Cup soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur in Udine, Italy, August 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
September 21, 2025, 2:54 am
Israel said scrambling to prevent Tuesday vote on expelling country from European soccer
Reports say Qatar, following Israeli strike in Doha, is pressuring UEFA to hold a vote; however, Israeli federation implies the reports are inaccurate
By Michael Bachner
Anti-Israel protesters wave flags in Times Square, New York City, June 16, 2025. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)
September 17, 2025, 10:56 pm
Times Square billboard demands Israeli national soccer team be barred from competing
Months ahead of 2026 World Cup, advocacy organizations kick off campaign declaring that ‘there is no room in sports for war criminals’
By Reuters and ToI Staff
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